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Moussa Sissoko a virtual spectator as Fellaini bosses France v Belgium seven goal thriller

9 years ago
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A remarkable game at the Stade de France with Moussa Sissoko a virtual spectator in this seven goal thriller.

Friday night was Daryl Janmaat’s turn to be the loser in a seven goal match and Sunday evening it was Moussa Sissoko’s opportunity.

France host the 2016 Euros and so instead of qualifying matches they have a schedule of competitive friendlies to try and prepare them for those finals.

The Paris crowd were treated to a master class but it was from an unlikely source, who wasn’t wearing home colours – Marouane Fellaini scored twice, then created the third and won a penalty for what turned out to be the winner.

Belgium comprehensively outplayed France in the first half as they went in at the break two up thanks to the Manchester United midfielder.

It could have been even worse as Yohan Cabaye only stayed on the pitch as it was a friendly, having dragged Hazard down when he was one on one with the former Newcastle playmaker. Little surprise to see Cabaye dragged off at half-time.

Belgium went 3-0 up in the 50th minute before Valbuena gave false hope with a penalty in the 53rd minute – only a minute later Hazard making it 4-1, also from the penalty spot.

Moussa Sissoko may have played the full 90 minutes but he was all but totally anonymous, his main contribution dragging a shot wide when well placed.

Ironically, the late substitution of Fellaini almost prompted a remarkable turnaround, the man of the match leaving the pitch with 13 minutes left and France scoring twice in the last two minutes to almost snatch a very unlikely draw.

Worrying times for Yohan Cabaye as he once again struggles to impose himself at either club or international level, whilst Moussa Sissoko was one of only two (Matuidi the other) of the front six players to play the full match. Whether that was a good or bad thing for the Newcastle midfielder, considering how poorly he played, is open to question.

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