Player Ratings from France’s Debut Match: A Mixed Performance

**Lucas Chevalier (6/10):**
In his long-anticipated debut after 16 call-ups, Chevalier’s first involvement was retrieving the ball from the back of the net following a well-executed goal by the opposition. Aside from this moment, he had limited responsibilities throughout the match.

**Malo Gusto (8/10):**
Although Gusto was initially caught off-guard by a precise through ball that led to France conceding, he quickly redeemed himself with two assists and emerged as a significant attacking threat. It was unfortunate that a goal he scored was disallowed.

**Ibrahima Konate (7/10):**
Even though he has not had an outstanding season with Liverpool, Konate displayed a composed and confident presence in defense.

**Lucas Hernandez (7/10):**
Hernandez remained unfazed throughout the match and demonstrated effective coordination with his younger brother.

**Theo Hernandez (7/10):**
While not as adventurous or impactful in attack as his counterpart Gusto, Theo contributed with quality crosses and showcased solid defensive skills.

**Khéphren Thuram (8/10):**
Thuram showcased his potential by frequently getting into promising positions, though he was unlucky not to score. His pace, power, and some exquisite passing were noteworthy.

**Warren Zaire-Emery (7/10):**
Zaire-Emery’s agility and athleticism helped his team on multiple occasions, even though he was not granted the freedom to roam the pitch.

**Christopher Nkunku (6/10):**
Nkunku delivered a mixed performance, occasionally displaying his quality but also suffering from poor decision-making and frequent tackles.

**Maghnes Akliouche (7/10):**
The young talent had a promising outing, consistently beating defenders and scoring a goal, marking a successful night for him.

**Jean-Philippe Mateta (8/10):**
Mateta scored with confidence, effectively held up the ball, and facilitated play for his teammates, demonstrating an impressive all-around performance that could see him selected for the World Cup.

**Hugo Ekitike (5/10):**
Despite an excellent start at Liverpool, Ekitike appeared out of sorts during this match, indicating he may perform better in a leading role.

**Rayan Cherki (5/10):**
The Manchester City summer signing struggled to make a meaningful impact throughout the game.

**Florian Thauvin (6/10):**
Thauvin tracked back effectively but did not contribute significantly to the attack.

**Bradley Barcola (6/10):**
Barcola faced a resilient Azerbaijan defense and was unable to penetrate effectively.

**Didier Deschamps (7/10):**
Fielding an experimental lineup without several key players, Deschamps would have been worried about their slow start but was pleased as the team gradually took control and asserted their dominance. Some players stood out, while others struggled.