Pavard at the double as France hit Scotland 4-1
Benjamin Pavard scored twice as France came from behind to beat Scotland 4-1 in a friendly at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille on Tuesday night.
The Inter Milan defender found the net just three times in his previous 51 international appearances, but he got his name on the scoresheet twice inside the opening 24 minutes against the Tartan Army after Billy Gilmour had given the visitors an early lead with his first-ever senior career goal.
Captain Kylian Mbappe added a third from the penalty spot shortly before half time, before substitute Kingsley Coman sealed the victory with a thunderous strike 20 minutes from time to help France extend their winning run on home soil to five matches.
READ ALSOMessi tipped to beat Haaland, Mbappe to 8th Ballon d’Or
The two nations entered the contest just a few days after securing qualification for Euro 2024, with France beating the Netherlands 2-1 last Friday and Scotland booking their place at next year’s tournament in Germany courtesy of Spain’s 1-0 win over Norway on Sunday.
Didier Deschamps made four changes to the France lineup that beat the Dutch, with Pavard, Eduardo Camavinga, Ousmane Dembele and Olivier Giroud all coming into the first XI.
Steve Clarke, meanwhile, made eight changes to the Scotland team that lost 2-0 to Spain last Thursday, with Liam Kelly handed his international debut in goal and the likes of Gilmour, Lewis Ferguson and Greg Taylor were also handed starts, while Scott McTominay wore the captain’s armband in the absence of the injured Andrew Robertson.
Kickoff at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy was delayed by 10 minutes due to long queues of supporters at the stadium, while extra security measures were put in place following the terrorist attack that occurred before Monday’s Euro 2024 qualifier between Belgium and Sweden in Brussels which was eventually abandoned.
READ ALSO England come from behind to beat Italy seal Euro 24 slot
France controlled proceedings early doors but it was Scotland who took the lead inside the opening 11 minutes when Gilmour capitalised on a misplaced pass from Camavinga to slot a curling strike into the far corner from around 10 yards out.
However, the hosts responded well and restore parity just five minutes later when Pavard towered above the Scotland backline to head home Antoine Griezmann’s corner at the front post.
Pavard, playing at centre-back alongside Ibrahima Konate, then doubled his tally on the 24-minute mark with another header, this time pouncing on Mbappe’s pin-point cross and glancing his effort beyond Kelly from close range.
France return to international duty on November 18 for a Euro 2024 qualifier at home to Gibraltar, while Scotland play host to Norway two days earlier.