France are up and running in Euro 2020 after they swept aside the threat of Germany in their tournament opener with a narrow 1-0 win in Munich.
Didier Deschamps men are in what is dubbed as ‘the Group of Death’ alongside the Germans, Portugal and Hungary, but they showed why they are the favourites to win the competition with a confident performance after a Mats Hummels own goal gave them all three points.
Germany had bright spells but ultimately struggled to open up the stubborn Frenchmen, who were dangerous on the counter attack throughout and were denied a second through Karim Benzema after the dangerous Kylian Mbappe was ruled offside.
Sportsmail’s OLI GAMP analyses how each France and Germany player fared during an intriguing match-up at the Allianz Arena.
France got the better of Germany as they started their Euro 2020 campaign with a narrow win
FRANCE
Hugo Lloris – 6.5
Comfortable in between the sticks. With Germany having just one shot on target, he was never really tested.
Benjamin Pavard – 7
A threat going forward during threatening France counter attacks. Combined well with Griezmann.
Raphael Varane – 7.5
Dominant at the back and an asset going forward too – playing across some superb long-range passes to launch attacks.
Raphael Varane was dominant at the back but also impressed by clipping balls forward
Presnel Kimpembe – 7
Untroubled, strong on the ball and composed. His partnership with Varane could be pivotal in this competition.
Lucas Hernandez – 7
Grabbed an assist for the opening goal and was always keen to get forward when France burst forward on the counter.
Paul Pogba – 8
Man of the match. The Man United midfielder has his critics but he usually steps up for France when they need him and he did that with a beautiful chipped pass to Hernandez. Tidy on the ball and everything seemed to revolve around him.
Paul Pogba orchestrated France’s attacks and was crucial in setting up their opening goal
N’Golo Kante – 7.5
As electric as usual – France have a player in form and somehow still bursting with energy and pace despite a tiring season. Made countless key interceptions.
Adrien Rabiot – 7
A strong presence in the middle and helped the team keep possession and build attacks. Wasted a valuable opportunity to calm nerves for 2-0.
Antoine Griezmann – 7
Started the game well despite going quiet for spells but always carried a threat.
Karim Benzema – 6.5
Didn’t quite have the impact he would have hoped for and will be disappointed to see his goal disallowed after Mbappe’s offside call.
Kylian Mbappe – 7
A menace to Germany from start to finish. His pace terrified their back four but he lacked that killer instinct to get on the scoresheet.
Kylian Mbappe ran Germany ragged with his electric pace but lacked the killer finish
Manager: Didier Deschamps – 7
Named a strong team with great balance and his game plan to wait for a mistake and punish it on the counter worked a treat. France were well set up and organised.
Subs: Dembele, Tolisso.
Not used: Lenglet, Lemar, Giroud, Zouma, Mandanda, Digne, Coman, Ben Yedder, Maignan, Kounde.
Germany
Manuel Neuer – 6
Made a couple of good saves to keep out Benzema and Mbappe. Couldn’t do much about Hummels’ own goal.
Matthias Ginter – 6
Dragged out of position a couple of times but was strong to deny France’s forwards pushing through in the second half.
Mats Hummels – 5
He was given a tough time by Mbappe and showed his age. His day at the office was compounded by a horror own goal.
Mats Hummels showed his age as he was terrorised by Mbappe and scored a horror own goal
Antonio Rudiger – 6
Fairly solid individual display to keep France at bay for spells but not a standout performance by any means. Drew controversy following a ‘nibble’ on Pogba’s back.
Joshua Kimmich – 6.5
Not playing in his favoured position at right back and Germany lacked a threat from out wide – before the Bayern star stepped up with his crossing in the second half.
Ilkay Gundogan – 6
So clinical for Man City this season but failed to take one of Germany’s only real chances in the first half as he sliced his effort over. Not able to get into the game.
Toni Kroos – 7
Germany’s main creator and was dangerous with his delivery from crosses and set-pieces throughout.
Toni Kroos was Germany’s main creative force and kept them ticking with good deliveries
Robin Gosens – 6.5
Whenever Germany pushed forward, Gosens stood out with his deliveries but he couldn’t manage to pick the killer ball.
Thomas Muller – 6
Looked frustrated despite his best efforts to carve France open. His experience will be vital in this tournament.
Kai Havertz – 6
Not a great day at the office for the Chelsea star. Struggled to get Germany going in front of goal. Subbed.
The Chelsea star was the hero in the Champions League final but never got going here
Serge Gnabry – 6.5
Withdrawn at the same time as Havertz after Low lost patience with the pair. Threatening on the wing but not at his best yet.
Subs: Sane 6, Werner 6, Volland, Can
Not used: Halstenberg, Leno, Sule, Klostermann, Neuhaus, Trapp, Koch, Gunter.
Manager: Joachim Low – 6
His side kept the ball well but their back three was exploited on a handful of occasions and his side ran out of ideas late on.
Referee: Carlos del Cerro Grande (Spa) 6.