France 3-1 Northern Ireland: Mbappé’s wastefulness noted by Deschamps

Didier Deschamps coached his 91st and final home match for France at Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille. The French national team beat Northern Ireland 3-1 in a friendly three days before the World Cup, but Kylian Mbappé struggled to convert chances. Deschamps downplayed concerns over Mbappé’s finishing, stating his captain had told him he was saving himself for the USA. The French head coach expressed confidence that Mbappé would rebound for the World Cup. France dominated possession and created multiple chances, but missed key opportunities to extend their lead. The hosts took the lead early through a set-piece before Northern Ireland pulled one back late in the first half. Mbappé tested the Northern Ireland goalkeeper twice but failed to score. Deschamps praised the team’s overall performance despite the wastefulness in front of goal.

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The match served as the final preparation for France ahead of their World Cup opener. Deschamps used the game to assess squad options and tactical setups. Northern Ireland’s lone goal came from a counterattack, their only significant threat of the evening. France’s defensive line remained solid throughout the match.

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Deschamps confirmed that squad rotation would be used in upcoming friendlies to manage player workloads ahead of the tournament. The French Football Federation announced that this was Deschamps’ last home match as head coach, marking the end of an era.