France’s shock Euro 2020 knockout at the hands of Switzerland has been savaged by L’Equipe, with the newspaper critiquing the below-par display in their ruthless set of player ratings.
The world champions were left stunned in Bucharest, having let a comfortable 3-1 lead slip against the underdogs, who will now face Spain in the quarter-finals, to be taken to extra-time and then penalties.
Kylian Mbappe made himself the villain of the night after seeing his crucial spot-kick saved by Yann Sommer, and the assessment of the red-faced ace, along with the majority of his team-mates, was scathing.
France were sent crashing out of Euro 2020 after losing to Switzerland in a penalty shootout
L’Equipe were scathing in their verdicts of the players, many of whom were hit with low ratings
Over the decades, L’Equipe have tended to pull no punches when reflecting on games, and only Les Blues’ finest performers – namely Paul Pogba and Karim Benzema – have escaped with an acceptable number.
Benjamin Pavard, Clement Lenglet and Presnel Kimpembe have all been hit with a lowly rating of two, although this comes as little surprise given France’s shaky nature across their back five during the tie.
The right-sided Pavard conceded a clumsy penalty after lunging in on Steven Zuber, although Hugo Lloris spared his blushes when keeping out Ricardo Rodriguez’s effort from 12 yards.
France let a lead slip in Bucharest to be taken to extra-time, and then a tense round of penalties
Clement Lenglet was among three Les Blues stars to be hit with a three rating after the match
Lenglet and Kimpembe, meanwhile, were run ragged by Switzerland’s frontline, with Haris Seferovic scoring twice and substitute Mario Gavranovic forcing the additional 30 minutes after firing home on the 90 minute mark.
Raphael Varane, who is a target for Manchester United this summer, also struggled and has been given a rating of three.
Those judged to have been average were Adrien Rabiot, N’Golo Kante and Antoine Griezmann. Juventus midfielder Rabiot was fielded at left wing back in a surprise move, while Kante and Griezmann dropped below their usual standards.
Paul Pogba enjoyed a superb tournament overall, and was at his flowing best in the last-16 clash with his full array of passing on show. He looked to have sent France through after 75 minutes, with his curling effort finding the top corner.
Paul Pogba enjoyed a superb tournament, but the early exit saw him awarded with just a six
Yann Sommer made himself the hero after keeping out Kylian Mbappe’s effort to seal the win
Despite this, the superstar was only given a six by L’Equipe, placing him narrowly above a number of team-mates who endured a nightmare evening.
Lloris and Benzema were handed a seven and eight respectively – with the goalkeeper assured between the sticks, and the veteran frontman scoring twice to roll back the years and cap off his classy display.
Mbappe, who was left to slowly walk off the pitch on his own after missing his penalty, was rated as a four – potentially a generous verdict given his failure to get off the mark at all this summer.
Didier Deschamps, whose future may now come under scrutiny, was handed a rating of three. His decision to change his team’s shape was particularly torn apart, as well as his in-game management.
Didier Deschamps may face questions over his future and L’Equipe slapped him with a three
As for Switzerland, L’Equipe highlighted the towering Seferovic and Zuber as their standout players. Granit Xhaka was only given a six, bizarrely, despite his eye-catching range of defence-splitting balls.
France legend Patrick Vieira did not hold back when giving his post-match thoughts on the jaw-dropping result, and openly questioned the lack of character and personality that was on show.
‘Tonight we have to give the credit to the Swiss team, because I strongly believe that the best team won today,’ Vieira said on ITV.
France legend Patrick Vieira had questioned his nation’s character and personality at full-time
‘The best team deserved to go through to the next round, and tonight it was the Swiss.
‘I’m really disappointed with the attitude we had on the pitch. I think it was a poor French national team, there wasn’t any kind of togetherness, there wasn’t any kind of spirit. We didn’t play as a team, so we didn’t deserve to go to the next round.
‘I think at times we played well, because of the individual quality of the players making a difference, but collectively we were far behind the Swiss.’