2023-10-06 22:51:00
There was no suspense in Lyon! Les Bleus got the job done by crushing Italy to reach the knockout stage of their World Cup, hosted at home. Things didn’t drag on at Groupama Stadium in Lyon! On their first constructed action, Fabien Galthié’s men will succeed in scoring a try: on the left side Ramos manages to manage the surplus well and shifts Damian Penaud who goes to score the first points of the match (7-0, 3rd). In this ideal start, the XV of France added three more points after a successful penalty from Thomas Ramos (1-0, 7th).
Penaud gets closer to Blanco
For the moment there is no match and Italy is overwhelmed in all sectors of the game. Full axis, Damian Penaud plays with the foot towards his sidekick Bielle-Biarrey who gets rid of two Italians with devastating hooks to go and score the second try of the Blues (17-0, 13th).
The host country of this 2023 World Cup feels its wings growing in this first period and is camped in the Italian 40 meters. On the right side, Fickou, Jalibert and Ramos combine: the latter will flatten to drive the point home and offer the Blues a comfortable lead (24-0, 23rd). In defense, the Blues also proved intractable: Allan escaped into the heart of the French rearguard but Bielle-Biarrey managed to catch him (27th).
The Squadra Azzurra still thinks of scoring its first try at the half-hour mark: after multiple picks and go, the first line Ferrari succeeds in flattening but after viewing by the video referee, for an irregular charge on Lucu, the The action is cancelled. The XV of France finishes this first act with a bang and will succeed in scoring once again through the irresistible Damian Penaud, served at the foot (31-0, 37th). The winger thus overtakes Vincent Clerc among the best scorers in the selection with this 35th try and gets closer to Serge Blanco.
The Blues are not satisfied after returning from the locker room and always want more. On a brilliant inspiration after a service from Ollivon, Jalibert gets rid of the opposing marking for the Blues’ 5th try (38-0, 48th). The domination is still not over since the Blues will quickly add other points: following a scrum five meters from the Italian line, Mauvaka is smarter than everyone and goes to flatten (45-0, 54th).
The Blues bench finishes the job
With this large lead, the staff of the XV of France took the opportunity to quickly carry out a squad review: Ollivon, Atonio, Mauvaka and Ramos gave way to Cros, Aldegheri, Bourgarit and Jaminet respectively. One of the new entrants, Moefana, will quickly shine with a try following a series of charges: Jalibert maneuvers again for a superb decisive pass (52-0, 64th).
Cornered for a good hour of play, Italy will save the honor by Zuliani who takes advantage of the rare spaces left by the Blues on their left flank (52-7, 68th). The Blues will quickly move forward to get an 8th try: Moefana offers himself a double for his 21st selection with the XV of France (57-7, 73rd). Jaminet adds three more points to complete the show (60-7, 80th).
The host country ends its group stage with another great success after the defeat against Namibia (96-0). We now await the opponent for the quarter-finals: it should probably be South Africa, but Ireland and Scotland are also possibilities. Fabien Galthié’s men will be decided this Saturday evening, after the outcome of group B.
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