March 25, 2019. Stade de France, Paris. Euro 2020 qualifying match. France hosts Iceland, a team known for its physical strength and discipline. For the current world champions, this match is a maturity test. In the starting lineup is Paul Pogba, a defensive midfielder and the brains of Didier Deschamps’ team. Despite their small size, the Icelanders have long earned a reputation as a solid team capable of surprising any opponent. Their tactical discipline and physical preparation have always jeopardized the ambitions of stronger teams. France, in turn, had to show that they are not only world champions, but also capable of confirming their status in qualifying matches. The match began with the Frenchman in action. From the first minutes, they began to control the ball, creating pressure on the opponent’s defense. Pogba, with an excellent vision of the field and the ability to make long passes, quickly began to accelerate his team’s attacks. His interaction with Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann looked promising.
Iceland, in turn, adapted to the game, trying to prevent free spaces for attack. Their defenders acted in an organized manner, creating a tight block in front of their penalty area. Every attempt by the French to intensify the game was met with powerful resistance from the opponent. However, despite this, the French were able to create several dangerous moments. In the 30th minute of the match, Pogba made a great pass to Griezmann, who, using his speed, broke through to the goal. But the Icelandic goalkeeper showed miracles of reaction, parrying the shot. This became a signal for the French that they needed to increase the pressure. In the second half, the game continued to develop in the same spirit. Pogba, realizing the importance of the moment, began to take the initiative. He not only passed, but also tried to finish the attacks himself. In the 55th minute, after another combination, he found himself in a perfect position to shoot, but the ball hit a defender.
The intensity of the match did not wane, and soon Iceland began to show their counter-attacking qualities. Several times they made the French defense nervous, creating chances that could have led to a goal. However, the French goalkeeper, who came onto the field in excellent form, did not allow this to happen. In the 70th minute, Pogba finally waited for his hour. After a corner, he was able to close the pass with his head, sending the ball into the net. The stadium exploded with delight, and the team celebrated an important goal. This was the moment that could have changed the course of the game.
However, the Icelanders were not going to give up. They increased the pressure on the French, trying to equalize. In the last minutes of the match, the French showed character, defending their goal and trying to maintain the lead. Pogba, showing leadership qualities, actively prompted his partners, organizing defensive redoubts. The match ended with a score of 1:0 in favor of France. It was an important victory, confirming the strength of the team. Pogba, who proved himself as a key player, became the subject of discussion and admiration. This match was not only a test for the team, but also a reminder that even world champions must constantly work on themselves to stay at their best. Thus, this confrontation became an important milestone in the preparation for Euro 2020, and the French, confident in their strength, looked to the future with optimism.
France opens the scoring in the 12th minute – Samuel Umtiti closes the cross. Pogba plays deeper, helps to develop attacks, removes pressure by pressing through diagonals and short passes. His accuracy and confidence allow the French to dominate the tempo. After the goal, the game calmed down a bit, but the tension remained. The Icelanders, realizing that they needed to play back, began to attack more actively. Their strategy was to use long passes and the physicality of their players. They tried to create situations where they could use their size, but the French defense, led by Raphael Varane, was ready for this. Pogba continued to demonstrate his outstanding play. He not only controlled the ball, but also often went into striking positions, creating additional opportunities for his teammates. In the 30th minute, he showed himself again, giving a great pass to Mbappe, who, despite close marking, managed to run past the defender, but his shot was again blocked by the Icelandic goalkeeper.
The French team felt confident, and this was reflected in their play. Every player, from the defenders to the forwards, was involved in the processes. Pogba, as a true leader, prompted his teammates, directing their actions on the field. He understood that it was important for the team not only to keep the ball, but also to create real chances for a goal in order to develop their advantage. The Icelanders, not wanting to give up, began to resort to counterattacks. Their quick transitions to the attack created moments near the French goal. In the 40th minute, they almost equalized the score when their striker received the ball in the penalty area and shot into the top corner. But the French goalkeeper again did a brilliant job, blocking the shot. In the second half, the game became even more intense. Iceland, realizing that they had no other choice, increased the pressure. They began to take risks, which created additional space for the French. Pogba, seeing this, began to use his skills to break the opponent’s defensive lines. His passes became more and more risky, but also more effective.
In the 65th minute, he made a great, long-awaited pass to Griezmann, who found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper. However, the Icelandic goalkeeper saved his team again, standing at attention. The French began to get nervous, not understanding how they managed to miss such clear chances. However, Pogba did not lose confidence. He continued to create chances, and soon, after a corner, he was in the center of the action again. In the 75th minute, after a pass, he won an aerial duel, but the ball flew past the goal. The stadium held its breath, but the crowd still believed in the victory of their team. In the 80th minute, the French team finally doubled their lead. Mbappe, having received the ball from Pogba, elegantly bypassed the defender and sent the ball into the net with a powerful shot. The stadium exploded with delight, and Pogba and his teammates began to celebrate, realizing that they now had a two-goal cushion.
The Icelanders, of course, were not going to give up. They continued to look for chances, but each of their attacks was met with an organized defense of the French, who, under the leadership of Pogba, confidently held the line. In the final minutes of the match, Pogba showed himself again, taking the ball from the opponents and initiating counterattacks. The match ended with a score of 2:0 in favor of France. This was not only an important victory, but also proof that the team can handle pressure, and Pogba – with the role of leader. With this attitude and quality of play, the French looked ahead with optimism as they prepared for the upcoming challenges of Euro 2020.
In the 68th minute, Pogba’s signature moment. He receives the ball in the center, shifts sharply to the right and makes a cutting pass into the penalty area to Antoine Griezmann, who puts Giroud in a scoring position – 3:0. This is not a direct assist, but a pre-goal pass that broke the defense and created an episode. This combination was a shining example of team play and understanding between the players. After the goal, an atmosphere of triumph reigned in the stadium. France, feeling confident, continued to put pressure on the opponent, not wanting to stop there. Pogba, as always, was in the center of events, controlling the tempo of the game and directing the attacks. The Icelanders, realizing that the situation was becoming critical, tried to change the course of the match.
Pogba, realizing that the team needed stability, began to devote more time to defense. He actively returned back, helping his defenders and intercepting balls. This only added respect to his game, because he not only created moments for attack, but also actively participated in defense. In the 75th minute, the French became even more aggressive. Mbappe, having received the ball from Pogba, rushed into attack again, passing several defenders. At this moment, the stadium exploded with delight again. His speed and technique allowed him to create a new moment, but the shot hit a defender. The Icelanders, despite the difficult situation, did not lose hope. They began to act more actively, trying to use their physical abilities to create dangerous moments.
