FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Netherlands 0-1 France - 5 Talking Points

Netherlands hosted France in a huge World Cup qualifier game in one of the more tougher European qualifying groups. The Dutch narrowly lost a very intriguing game 1-0 but showed a lot of spirit in their performance.

France took the lead through Paul Pogba whose long-range strike was too powerful for Steklenberg in the Dutch goal. Netherlands struggled to create too many clear-cut chances in the first half as Wijnaldum and Promes hobbled off with injuries.

Manager Danny Blind tried to change things around by bringing on Bas Dost in the second half and almost managed to get a point right at the end but Hugo Lloris saved brilliantly from Depay’s close range instinctive shot.

Here are FIVE talking points from the game

1) Paul Pogba shows signs of reaching peak form

Pogba is coming into his own

France’s shining star has come under a lot of criticism recently over his performances for Manchester United. He came for a world record fee of 89 million pounds and many have claimed he hasn’t justified it yet.

But the Frenchman showed what he can do by scoring the opening and only goal of the game for France. Granted the keeper could have done better but it still took a very powerful striker to put him off.

His overall game was decent and maybe not at the level you would expect but he is getting there. The Frenchman seems to be improving game by game and once he’s at his best he could be unstoppable.

He has the backing of the manager and his teammates so it won’t be too long before we see the real Pogba in action