Historic victory for Thierry Henry’s Bleuets against Cyprus (9-0)

2023-10-17 20:34:48

And four out of four for Thierry Henry at the head of the Bleuets. The new coach signed a fourth consecutive success since his arrival, with a very easy success against Cyprus this Tuesday evening (9-0). Facing a very weak opponent, Warren Zaire-Emery’s teammates rolled to achieve the biggest victory in their history, the record dating back to November 1985 and a 7-0 victory against Yugoslavia. The Bleuets still occupy first place in Group H in these qualifications for the Euro Espoirs.

The Bleuets did not doubt for long at the Stade des Alpes in Grenoble. Already dominating from the start of the match, it only took 13 minutes and a new foray from Rayan Cherki into the penalty area for the opening score. By wanting to cross back towards Arnaud Kalimuendo, the Olympique Lyonnais striker finally found the foot of Cypriot defender Evagoras Antoniou, an own goal scorer.

At the half-hour mark, Kalimuendo doubled the lead on a penalty by taking the law into his own hands after suffering a small injury to his thigh. Rather consistent until then, the Cypriot Espoirs team has gradually disintegrated. Cherki took advantage of a loss of ball in the opposing area to offer the third goal to Maghnes Akliouche (3-0, 39th).

Zaire-Emery was able to breathe

Just before half-time on a good clearance from the fists of Guillaume Restes, the express counter-attack led by Elye Wahi ended at the bottom thanks to the beautiful conclusion of Kalimuendo, with the flat of the right foot. At the break, the match was already over (4-0) to the delight of the Stade des Alpes.

Thierry Henry took the opportunity to blow Zaire-Emery, who came out at the break. Hit in the ankle, Wahi gave way prematurely in the second period to Bradley Barcola. Still untenable after the restart with the captain’s armband on his arm, Cherki first found the left post, then brushed against the Cypriot top corner on the right, in quick succession.

“We all feel good in the team”

The Blues’ fifth goal was barely long in coming. From a corner from Cherki (again), Chrislain Matsima pushed the ball into the back of the net after a big mess in the Cypriot area (5-0, 57th). Already a scorer in the next three matches under the orders of Thierry Henry, Rayan Cherki was also bound to score. The 20-year-old attacking midfielder, perfectly served by Barcola, dribbled past two defenders and the goalkeeper with a magnificent feint to push the ball into the back of the net from the left (6-0, 65th).

4 minutes later, the Lyonnais is also at the corner to place the ball on the head of Mathys Tel, author of his first goal in the colors of the hopes (7-0, 67th). In a more sluggish last quarter of an hour, where the Bleuets multiplied the somewhat useless technical gestures, Rayan Cherki signed a double of a beautiful jewel with a leg pass followed by a shot from the right near post (8- 0.80th), before leaving to a standing ovation from Grenoble. Mathys Tel will also go for his double after a mine from the left into the top corner (9-0, 90+4) to close the tricolor festival.

“We all feel good in the team, that was felt this evening,” Rayan Cherki told L’Equipe. We will have to stay on this continuity to have maximum pleasure when we come to the selection. » Asked about the difference between his performances for the national team and for the club, the Lyonnais avoids controversy. ” I am myself. I try to have as much fun as possible. I think it shows on the pitch with my teammates. We are a very high level team, and that makes the difference. »