France took on Azerbaijan in World Cup qualifying on Sunday, and with a place at next summer’s main event already assured, Didier Deschamps opted to rotate his squad a bit. Among those getting starts were
Malo Gusto (his eighth cap but only his third start) and even Christopher Nkunku, even though the ex-Chelsea man has yet to find the back of the net for AC Milan this season.
Then again, it weren’t any of France’s sparkling array of attacking players who took center stage in this one; instead, it was Malo himself, fresh off of scoring his first ever goal in senior professional football.
He set up practically all three of France’s goals in this one, two of which he was credited for, and the third coming after the shot he set up was saved but then the rebound was turned in anyway. Gusto almost got even Nkunku on the scoresheet, too, but that one was ruled out for offside.
Maybe this is what Enzo Maresca keeps seeing in Malo?
Elsewhere, England left it late to notch another win and yet another clean sheet by dispatching Albania, 2-0 on a Harry Kane brace. Reece James got the day off (good), as did Trevoh Chalobah (bad). But hey, no injuries, which is the most important!
On a sidenote, since I had talked about the Hungarian national team the other day, they managed to conjure up a tragedy of truly epic proportions even by our depressing national historical standards.
All that was needed was a point on the final day of group games to qualify for the playoffs: instead, they lost 3-2 at home to Republic of Ireland, despite taking the lead twice and had a 2-1 lead heading into the final ten minutes. Ex-Spurs washout Troy Parrott completed his hat-trick in the sixth minute of five minutes of added-on time, just seconds before the final whistle. (Parrott scored twice against Portugal in their previous game, giving him five goals during the break: all five Irish goals.)
The somewhat reductive view of the Hungarian national identity has always been one of melancholy, sadness, and of past tragedies and injustices. (I mean, just listen to the anthem.) We can add this one to the list, too.
