France

3.00

• 
  23

  3

  3.50

  Hugo Lloris

  Became the eighth France goalkeeper in history to make the 30-cap mark with this performance, but aside from a second-half double-save from Mirallas, he was untroubled. Didn’t look particularly comfortable with the ball at his feet.

• 
  13

  3

  3.00

  Anthony Réveillère

  A player noted for his attacking capabilities down the right, the Lyon man was largely asked to play a disciplined role for Blanc, who was doubtless aware of Hazard’s threat. The right-back played the Lille man fairly well, and when he did get forward his service into the box was strong.

• 
  17

  10

  2.50

  Adil Rami

  Had some heart-in-mouth moments in this match, as is often his style, the worst of which was a square pass across the box that was neither to Lloris nor Sakho. Caught similarly in two minds from a long throw. Such simple errors cannot be afforded at the top level, while his passing was disappointingly slack. Can do much better.

• 
  46

  4

  3.50

  Mamadou Sakho Top of the Match

  Made his mark on the game early, when he stopped encouraging forays from both Witsel and Hazard. Was imposing and confident in the heart of the rearguard throughout, making a number of fine interventions in the box.

• 
  24

  8

  3.50

  Éric Abidal

  Offered a strong base for the French on left hand side, where he generally provided a reliable barrier to Dembele. Got forward well in the opening stages, but as Ribery became more influential in this regard, the Barcelona man was content to sit back.

• 
  12

  4

  3.00

  Yohan Cabaye

  The Newcastle man was expected to provide a dynamic force in the heart of the field, but he was impressively bogged down by the Belgian midfield. Was happy to have a shot when he was given a glimpse of goal, but he would have wanted to be a greater offensive influence.

• 
  14

  4

  2.50

  Yann M'Vila

  Continues to be a mainstay in Blanc’s thinking, though he didn’t last 45 minutes in this game after landing on his back following an aerial challenge with Hazard. Hadn’t imposed himself as he would have liked to that point.

• 
  10

  4

  2.50

  Marvin Martin

  A somewhat disappointing display from the Sochaux playmaker, who was constantly forced to drop deep to gain possession, which nullified much of the threat he might have posed. The designated set piece taker, his delivery was not at its best.

• 
  37

  4

  3.50

  Franck Ribéry

  Criticised in recent matches for France due to his propensity to run down dead ends when playing with les Bleus, and he started in such a fashion before finding his feet towards the end of the first half, when he made a series of searing runs down the left. Though he faded after the break, he was France’s greatest threat.

• 
  13

  5

  2.50

  Loïc Remy

  After coming off the bench to explosive effect against the USA on Friday evening, the Marseille man was expected to give another strong performance but looked rather flat. Much of France’s play was channelled down the opposite side, and the kind of service into the box was not conducive to getting the best from the attacker.

• 
  35

  6

  3.00

  Karim Benzema

  Will be disappointed that he was not a meaningful goal threat for his side, but some of his hold up work and link play was excellent. Combined particularly well with Ribery. There was concern for his fitness after he seemed to jar his left knee in a collision with Vermaelen midway through the opening period.

Substitutions

• 
  13

  3

  3.00

  Jérémy Menez

  Ever-available in the closing stages, he was desperate to make a positive impression, and he certainly added a fresh dimension to France’s attacking.

• 
  21

  3

  3.50

  Maxime Gonalons

  Arrived just before half time as a replacement for the injured M’Vila. Almost made his mark in the first minutes of the second period with a long-range shot that rose just over. Worked hard and was not afraid to thrown his weight around in just a second international appearance.

• 
  12

  7

  3.00

  Florent Malouda

  Whereas Menez was invigorating, Malouda offered a couple of dangerous sparks.

• 
  12

  4

  2.50

  Olivier Giroud

  Given the final 20 minutes and still doesn’t look comfortable in the international game.

Belgium

3.00

• 
  19

  3

  0.00

  Thibaut Courtois

  Eased into international football on his debut, making only a couple of routine saves over the course of the first half. Wouldn’t be seriously tested at all after the interval.

• 
  8

  11

  0.00

  Toby Alderweireld Flop of the Match

  Failed to cope with the test of Ribery on his own, with the French winger frequently making inroads down his channel, particularly in the first half. Watch one long ball drop onto the toes of Ribery in an alarmingly static fashion, which led to France’s best chance of the first period.

• 
  14

  2

  0.00

  Daniel Van Buyten

  A strong performance from the former Marseille player, who went close to scoring the opening goal as a header hit the base of the post. The centre-back was a threat from attacking set pieces throughout, and he covered well for the struggling Alderweireld.

• 
  11

  9

  3.00

  Vincent Kompany

  Looked to impose himself on the game in a physical manner, but while this approach paid off on occasion, it would also lead to France winning a number of promising free kicks in the Belgium half. Read the game well at times, cutting out some dangerous through passes.

• 
  29

  4

  0.00

  Thomas Vermaelen

  Habitually plays left-back in international matches, and the Arsenal man looked quite at home in the position faced up against Remy. Did his defensive chores well, but it should be considered a source of concern that Belgium offered no attacking threat from deep.

• 
  4

  1

  0.00

  Timmy Simons

  The old head in the Belgian side, he was asked to play a shielding role in front of the defence, and it was largely because of his influence that Marvin Martin saw very little of the ball in dangerous areas. Had his life made difficult by an early booking for a foul on Ribery.

• 
  19

  3

  0.00

  Marouane Fellaini

  Did a great deal of fine defensive work, the Everton man showed an impressive ability to know when to press the player in possession and when to sit off. He was also one of the target of Belgium’s offensive set pieces, and would increasingly influence his side’s offensive work in the second period.

• 
  7

  2

  0.00

  Axel Witsel

  Made a bright start to the match but was thereafter a somewhat fleeting presence. Distributed the ball in a clever manner and worked hard to track back.

• 
  6

  7

  0.00

  Moussa Dembele

  Featuring primarily on the right of the pitch, the Fulham attacker offered only a handful of moments of true incision down his channel. Replaced just after an hour.

• 
  31

  4

  0.00

  Eden Hazard

  Regularly involved, the Lille player was clearly in a mood to make an impression in Paris, though he failed to show anything like his best level. Was well policed by the home rearguard, who were quick to close him down, though on occasion three players were not enough to stop Ligue 1’s Player of the Year. Tracked back excellently and showed fine discipline.

• 
  1

  5

  0.00

  Jelle Vossen

  Has been in red-hot form for Genk in the domestic game, but he was never given a chance to show his penalty-box instincts in Paris as he failed to make himself a viable outlet for Hazard, Dembele and Witsel. Booked for a rather crude, late challenge on Cabaye early in the game.

Substitutions

• 
  5

  4

  0.00

  Nacer Chadli

  Given half an hour as he replaced Dembele but failed to make a big impression.

• 
  7

  3

  0.00

  Kevin Mirallas

  The former Saint-Etienne man has been enjoying life in Greece, and he looked confident after coming off the bench, offering a more in his cameo than Vossen during his whole time on the field.