No goal against Canada

France against Canada from 21.15 LIVE

Weak performance by the French

(Bild: AFP/APA/FRANCK FIFE)

France's national soccer team ended its preparations for the European Championship in Germany with a goalless draw against Canada. The big favorites for the title gritted their teeth against the North Americans on Sunday, and instead of a broad chest, the game was more likely to cause worry lines.

The French did not live up to their role as clear favorites and were under constant pressure from the visitors. If Didier Deschamps' team want to win the European Championship title, they will probably have to show a different face. 

(Bild: APA/AFP/FRANCK FIFE)

Deschamps left the recently ailing superstar Kylian Mbappe on the bench until the 74th minute. From there, the striker, who will be on the scoresheet for Real Madrid from next season, saw his team clearly create more chances in a stormy opening phase. Canada goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau was kept busy, saving a chance from N'Golo Kante (8'), turning a Thuram shot onto the crossbar (9') and also keeping out a Griezmann long-range effort (19'). In addition, a header from ex-Salzburg player Dayot Upamecano went wide (35').

Marsch team brave
Immediately after the restart, Liam Millar almost turned the game on its head, curling the ball against the crossbar from the edge of the box and Mike Maignan would have been beaten (47'). At the other end, Oliver Giroud, in what was probably his last appearance on French soil in team kit, twice failed to finish in the penalty area. The Canadians, coached by ex-Salzburg coach Jesse Marsch, then had another top chance, but Alphonso Davies failed to finish and his pass was cleared at the highest level by William Saliba (79').

The French had two more chances to score in stoppage time. First, Randal Kolo Muani failed to get a header on target from six meters after strong work from Coman (91'), then Mbappe failed to beat Crepeau again after a solo effort (96'). In only their second international match against the French, the Canadians thus secured a draw after a narrow 1-0 defeat at the 1986 World Cup.

France will face Austria in their first match on June 17.

Results of international soccer test matches on Sunday:

Italy - Bosnia-Herzegovina 1:0 (1:0). Goal: Frattesi (38.)
Montenegro - Georgia 1:3 (0:2)
Slovakia - Wales 4:0 (1:0)
France - Canada 0:0
France with: Maignan - Kounde, Saliba, Upamecano (62. Konate), T. Hernandez (46. Mendy) - Kante, Camavinga - O. Dembele (74. Coman), Griezmann (87. Kolo Muani), M. Thuram (74. Mbappe) - Giroud (62. Barcola)