Two nations who endured contrasting nights in their most recent Euro 2024 qualifiers don their friendly caps on Tuesday, as France host Scotland at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in an exhibition contest.
Les Bleus sealed their spot at next year's Finals by defeating the Netherlands 2-1 on Friday, while Steve Clarke's men were left seething at a perceived sense of injustice in a 2-0 loss to Spain.
Match preview
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It may have been Friday the 13th, but France did not let superstitions get in their way of an early progression to Euro 2024, confirming a top-two finish in Group B thanks to a Kylian Mbappe-inspired win over the Netherlands in Amsterdam.
The Paris Saint-Germain sensation connected with Jonathan Clauss's delivery to direct a stunning volley past Bart Verbruggen in the seventh minute, before killing the game off with an astonishing curling effort in the second half as Les Bleus fans began booking their tickets to Germany.
Mike Maignan may have been beaten at his near post by debutant Quilindschy Hartman late on, but the left-back's maiden strike proved inconsequential in the grand scheme of things, and the pressure has been lifted off of France's shoulders for the remainder of the calendar year.
A 100% record in Euro 2024 qualifying is a feat that only Portugal can also boast so far, as Didier Deschamps's side are almost guaranteed to sail through in first place, and Les Bleus enter Tuesday's friendly on an 11-game scoring streak since losing to Tunisia at last year's World Cup.
However, the hosts' only friendly in 2023 so far ended in dismay, as a Rudi Voller-led Germany - who had flattered to deceive for a while - overcame Les Bleus 2-1 last month, and an incandescent Scotland have all the motivation they need to bring Les Bleus down a peg or two.
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Having been the thorn in Spain's side during March's magnificent win over La Roja, Scott McTominay - who returned to international duty on the back of domestic heroics for Manchester United against Brentford - would ostensibly help Scotland put one foot in the Euro 2024 Finals with a brilliant free kick from a tight angle.
There were few Spain complaints at McTominay's set-piece made the net bulge, but referee Serdar Gozubuyuk decided that Jack Hendry - who was standing in an offside position - was impeding Unai Simon, and the goal was chalked off before Alvaro Morata and Oihan Sancet came up with a pair of Spanish sucker-punches.
A serious injury to captain Andy Robertson rubbed salt into the wounds for Scotland in Seville, as Clarke's side let one opportunity to guarantee a spot at next year's Finals pass them by, but the Tartan Army were left cheering for their adversaries over the weekend, as Spain's victory over Norway ensured that their side would be present in Germany next summer.
While the Scotland faithful cracked open the champagne on Sunday night, Clarke's men - who like France also lost their most recently friendly to England last month - are working to avoid a run of three successive defeats for the first time since October 2019, but recent results versus Les Bleus inspire little confidence.
Interestingly, both sides have eight wins and eight defeats to show from their 16 previous meetings, but France have come out on the correct end of the scoreline in five of the last seven showdowns, including a 3-0 friendly win during the last meeting in 2016 thanks to Olivier Giroud's brace and Laurent Koscielny's effort.
Team News
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On the back of a testing evening in Amsterdam and with nothing but pride on the line, France boss Deschamps should not shy away from making several changes to his side on Tuesday, especially having lost William Saliba, Jules Kounde, Axel Disasi and Dayot Upamecano to injuries last week.
Chelsea right-back Malo Gusto made his France debut off the bench against the Netherlands and is now in line for his first start, while RB Leipzig's Castello Lukeba - a replacement for Disasi - should also earn his first minutes for the national team.
Mbappe's Dutch double saw the 24-year-old move onto 42 strikes in France colours - overtaking Michel Platini into fourth place in the all-time charts - but the PSG man may also be granted a rest as Olivier Giroud and Ousmane Dembele vie for starts in the final third.
While France came through their beating of Oranje unscathed, Liverpool and Scotland defender Robertson suffered a suspected dislocated shoulder against Spain, having been clattered by goalkeeper Simon before leaving the pitch in a makeshift sling.
Robertson has been sent back to Liverpool as fans wait with bated breath to learn the extent of the damage, and Clarke ought to deploy Nathan Patterson in the backline in place of Robertson, while Brenford's Aaron Hickey has also pulled out of the squad.
The visiting coach may also be tempted into an alteration or two with nothing major at stake, which would benefit Billy Gilmour and Che Adams's chances of recalls to the first XI.
France possible starting lineup:
Samba; Gusto, Pavard, Todibo, T. Hernandez; Fofana, Camavinga; Dembele, Griezmann, Coman; Giroud
Scotland possible starting lineup:
Gunn; Patterson, Hendry, McKenna, Porteous, Taylor; McGinn, McTominay, Gilmour, S. Armstrong; Adams
We say: France 2-0 Scotland
With a plethora of well-rested, youthful players aiming to make their mark for Les Bleus, France ought to consign September's Germany beating to history and end a successful October period on a high note.
Despite enjoying an extra day of recuperation, Scotland may still be reeling from the crushing blow inflicted on them by Spain and the officiating team, and the visitors' stopover in Lille is unlikely to be a memorable one.
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Top tip
Ben Knapton
