France V Ecuador World Cup 2014

France V Ecuador Fifa World Cup 2014

After match synopsis in red!!

Beers: Group E of Beer World Cup: http://thisdrinkinglife.com/world-cup-beer-group-e/

Who is set to win the battle of the beers? kronenbourg 1664 V ? Unfortunately I couldn’t source any beer from Ecuador so this will be a one sided affair. Click on picture for a preview of the beer.

Kronenbourg 1664 V ? : 1-0 win for Kronenbourg 1664 as I couldn’t source a beer from Ecuador. Click on links below for full beer information and reviews

PreGame:

France: Their game against the Swiss sent out a strong message to the rest of the teams in this World Cup. Watch out Les Bleus are back and their are eager to regain the trophy they won in 1998. They have scored eight goals so far in two games, and tonight they could continue their goal scoring spree. Karim Benzema, who spear heads the attack and is on fire at the moment, has scored nine goals in his last eight appearances for France.

This French team are not only exciting to watch but are a team. They genuinely seem happy to be playing for the jersey and Deschamps has molded some strong work ethic and a collective spirit that wins.

Giroud was brilliant against the Swiss, a great headed goal, like a bullet and Benzema is going to get that golden boot if he keeps performing like this. Imagine if they had Ribery in the team. Wow!

At the back they look solid enough and in goals Hugo Lloris is a very much underrated goalkeeper. Apart from the Swiss free kick he was solid.

They only need a point against Ecuador to guarantee qualification as group winners. If they perform to the best of their abilities this should be a doodle for the French.

Ecuador could lose and still progress but are likely to have to beat France, as hoping that Honduras beat Switzerland is a tall ask. That’s a tall order. I fear they might suffer against the French who should beat them easily.

The win against Honduras was welcomed with both teams trying their best to win but was littered with errors from both teams. Enner Valencia scored both goals for Ecuador in their win and is his teams only chance of bagging a goal tonight.

A more detailed review on France here and on Ecuador here

Didn’t watch this game live as I choose to watch Switzerland V Honduras, the other game in this group.

This match ended in a nil all stalemate with Ecuador exiting the tournament rather meekly and France getting to top the group.

Didier Deschamps made six changes to his starting line-up, and these new players didnt take their chance to impress. France were laboured throughout this game, not really stringing too many passes or moves together. They looked a bit disappointing when considering their two previous performances. But they are through, and that’s the important thing.

There was chances in the game. The Ecuadorian goalkeeper Domínguez had to be alert to push a Pogba header just over the bar while at the other end Enner Valencia, like a gazelle, out jumped everyone in the French defence drawing a good save from a header by Hugo Lloris. Benzema had a few chances, Pogba had a few more, and, probably, for Ecuador they should have scored when Cristhian Noboa wasted a glorious opportunity from a 3v2 break that led to nothing.

Ecuador were a bit winded when Antonio Valencia was sent off for a late challenge. This was his second red card in four games for Ecuador, but it was a little harsh as the tackle was more awkward than threatening.

But overall I was a little bit disappointed with Ecuador. Playing to a South American audience, they should have really attacked France from the start, and it was a surprise to see them finally bringing on a striker in the 89th minute. A wasted chance for them to progress, they simply didn’t have a real go at it.

France now play Nigeria in what will be a tough enough game. Nigeria wont be as easy a pushover as anything France have played so far. They are a team that attacks with pace, are very physical, and have a well drilled system in place. France will have to improve a lot from this performance if they want to get to the last eight.

Music to get you in the mood

Stardust V Andes Manta