Martial handed first France start in two and a half years
Tom Webber
September 8, 2020 17:49 MYT
September 8, 2020 17:49 MYT
Anthony Martial was handed his first France start for two and a half years in the Nations League meeting with Croatia on Tuesday.
Didier Deschamps named the Manchester United striker in a starting line-up for Les Bleus for the first time since a friendly against Russia in March 2018.
Martial replaced Kylian Mbappe, who took a knock to his right ankle, in the 1-0 victory over Sweden on Saturday and won a late penalty that Antoine Griezmann skied.
With Mbappe having left the group after testing positive for COVID-19, Martial was picked alongside Wissam Ben Yedder, who came in for Olivier Giroud, in attack at the Stade de France.
La composition de l'Equipe de France pour affronter la Croatie ! 20H45 sur @TF1 #FRACRO #FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/F7OQ7yxYsg — Equipe de France (@equipedefrance) September 8, 2020
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Hugo Lloris, Dayot Upamecano, N'Golo Kante and Griezmann were the only players to retain their spots following the unconvincing win against Sweden.
Clement Lenglet and Lucas Hernandez were drafted into a three-man defence, with Ferland Mendy and Moussa Sissoko deployed in the full-back positions.
The only other change saw Steven N'Zonzi come in for Adrien Rabiot.