Qualifying, goals, records… Here's our recap of the November break
It’s the end of the last international break of 2023. Ligue 1 Uber Eats is (finally) back, and the Monegasques summoned to international duty rejoined the squad this Thursday in the capital to prepare for the clash against Paris Saint- Germain. Here’s the opportunity to take stock of their performances, which were rather very good. From big results to qualifying and first goals, here’s everything you need to remember from the November international break!
Fofana is on fire with Les Bleus 🔥
It was an (Almost) perfect run for the French team and Youssouf Fofana. Heading into their last two qualifying matches for Euro 2024, Les Bleus first achieved the biggest win in the history of the French team against Gibraltar (14-0), in which our Monegasque midfielder scored his first goal for his country.
⚽ @YFofana19_ se rappellera longtemps de ce match !
✘ Plus large victoire de l'histoire des Bleus
✘ 1er but en Equipe de France #FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/kyljxFPZoU— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) November 20, 2023
Then Didier Deschamps’ men had a little more trouble in Greece, contenting themselves with a draw (2-2), thanks to a sublime strike from… Youssouf Fofana! It was a second goal in Blue for him, which allows the two-time world champion to finish in first place in their group, with 22 points taken out of 24 possible.
Switzerland are (also) into the Euros 🇪🇺
A ticket for Germany and Denis Zakaria has also been punched, who had a little more difficulty in their last three matches, with draws against Israel (1-1) and Kosovo (1-1), and a narrow defeat against Romania (1-0) . The Nati therefore let its final opponent take the lead in the group, and had to settle for second place.
Qualified!!! 🇨🇭 @nati_sfv_asf pic.twitter.com/TRBFIbB5mg
— ZAK (@Deniszakaria8) November 19, 2023
Aleksandr Golovin’s Russia was also in action, with a friendly against Cuba winning in style (8-0), with a goal and an assist by the Monegasque number 17.
A double qualification for the USA and “Balo” 🌎
It’s also going well for Folarin Balogun and the US. Facing Trinidad and Tobago in the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Nations League, Team USA made short work of the Soca Warriors in the first leg (3-0), where our Rouge et Blanc had an assist, his third for his country.
Despite defeat in the return leg (2-1), “Balo” and his teammates will now play in the semifinals of the competition, where they will face Jamaica. Their performance also allowed them to automatically qualify for the next Copa America, which will be played on home soil — the first in their history!
Taki impresses with Japan 🔥
Takumi Minamino is on cloud nine with Japan. With two matches counting as qualifiers for the next World Cup, the Samuraï Blue did very well, with a big win over Myanmar (5-0), a match during which our Monegasque playmaker delivered two assists. This was before his teammates did it again against Syria (0-5), to record an eighth success in a row. Japan is on fire! 🇯🇵
Job done for Côte d’Ivoire 🇨🇮
The African continent is also already focused on the 2026 World Cup. And Wilfried Singo’s Elephants were quick to stand out in the qualifiers by picking up six points from two matches… including a 9-0 win against the Seychelles before winning against Gambia (2-0); it was mission accomplished then.
A good start for Mali and Senegal 🌍
On their side, the Mali of Mohamed Camara picked up four points with a win over Chad (3-1) and a draw against the Central African Republic (1-1). It was the same for Senegal and Krépin Diatta and Ismail Jakobs, with a big win over South Sudan (4-0) and a draw against Togo (0-0).
Ouattara scores with the U-20s 🇫🇷
The young talents of the Club were also involved in this international break. Edan Diop, Malamine Efekele and Kassoum Ouattara were all summoned to the French U20 team for a double friendly against Belgium.
Winners in the first match (1-0), our Bleuets had a little more difficulty during the second match, conceding a draw (2-2)… but with a goal scored by our new left back his first for his country.
[#U20] 🤝 Un nul (2-2) pour terminer ce rassemblement et cette double confrontation franco-belge.
⚽️ Ouattara
⚽️ Logbo#FiersdetreBleuets 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/JmSWvaxHIr— Équipe de France Jeunes 🇫🇷 (@edfjeunes) November 21, 2023
Qualification is (almost) sealed for Benama 🔜
There was a lot at stake this time among the U19s, who were looking to complete the first qualifying group for the next Euros. With Mayssam Benama in their ranks, the French team won against Estonia (2-0) and Iceland (1-0), before losing to Denmark (2-1). They therefore finished second in their group, and will be present in the second qualifying round.
Tincres and Bouabré into the World Cup Quarterfinals 🏆
Success has so far been total for Joan Tincres and Saïmon Bouabré, currently in Indonesia, where they are competing in the U17 World Cup. After triumphing in the group stage, with wins against Burkina Faso (3-0), South Korea (1-0) and the USA (3-0, with a double from Joan), Les Bleuets won on penalties against Senegal in the round of 16 (0-0, 5-3 after penalties).
⚽⚽DOUBLÉ DE TINCRES !
Joan Tincres inscrit son 3e but dans la compétition. Les Bleuets s'offrent le break face aux Etats-Unis (2-0) !#lequipeFOOT pic.twitter.com/qmYFTyfl9E
— la chaine L'Équipe (@lachainelequipe) November 18, 2023
Scorer of three goals since the start of the competition, Joan Tincres scored his shot on goal, having just come on. The Tricolores thus continue their adventure, with a quarterfinal against Uzbekistan scheduled for this Saturday (9:30 a.m.).
Cabral and the U-17s are flying 👌
Pape Cabral and the U17s also enjoyed success in the qualifying for the next Euroß. After a big victory against Estonia (4-0), and draws against Romania (1-1) and Norway (0-0), the Monegasque midfielder and his team finished top of their group, and qualified for the second round of these qualifications. Bravo! 🇲🇨
