France suffered a surprising practice defeat on Wednesday evening. The team of national coach Didier Deschamps lost 0-2 in Paris against Finland, which struck twice before half time. The French team had eight changes from the 2-1 victory over Croatia in the Nations League, but Finland did not play in its strongest line-up in the French capital either. It is only the first defeat for the French after a series of twelve international matches, in which they won ten times and were remized twice.

In an exciting first half at the Stade de France, Finland provided a big surprise. Although France put pressure on and took over in the opening phase of the match, the visit took the lead after 28 minutes. Moussa Sissoko lost the ball just over the center line, after which Marcus Forss was faster in a sprint duel than Clément Lenglet and the ball shot behind Steve Mandanda: 0-1.

Finland even doubled its lead three minutes later. After a quick break, the visit lingered around the French goal area and it was Onni Valakari who finally fired the ball into the left corner via the hands of Mandanda. A disappointing standings for les Bleus, which was dangerous in the first half hour through Marcus Thuram. The debutant first aimed for the crossbar and not much later shot high.

France did not get out of the rest well. In the first fifteen minutes of the second half, Finland got two chances, but Mandanda turned a shot from Joni Kauko and then a header from Sauli Väisänen from a corner. Deschamps looked distressed from the sofa as France tried, but was far from efficient. Of the nineteen attempts in the first fifteen minutes, only three were on target.

Two substitute players almost scored the tying goal eleven minutes before the end. After a good action by Anthony Martial on the left, N’Golo Kanté fired the ball wide. In the remainder of the match, France also failed to express the predominance in goals.