The U.S. national team probably did not deserve to lead against France at halftime, but did thanks to Julian Green making the most out of a small opportunity.
Green, just before the stroke of halftime, managed to take advantage of a mistake by defender Djibril Sidibe and may have caught Hugo Lloris off-guard with a well-struck shot that gave the USA a 1-0 lead over Les Blues.
Youngster Shaq Moore had delivered a cross into the area off a rare U.S. counterattack. Sidibe appeared to deal with it, but slipped as he attempted to track down the ball after blocking the initial cross. Green surged past the defender then hit a low drive first time that beat Lloris near post to shock the hosts.
It is Green’s fourth goal for the U.S., and the first the side has ever scored against the French.
Prior to that opportunity, the USMNT had seen very little of the ball and few chances, with the Stars and Stripes’ best opportunity coming off a corner kick that did not generate a shot.
Meanwhile, France had generated multiple chances to that point but had been unable to finish. Olivier Giroud was in position on an early corner but headed it to USMNT goalkeeper Zack Steffen. Pogba looked to have taken advantage of a Green turnover early on but struck the post.
Antoine Griezmann also saw opportunities but his drives from distance did not find the target.
Instead, completely against the run of play, it was Green scoring on the USMNT’s first shot of the contest.
France remained on the front foot throughout the match however, and a late goal from Kylian Mbappe was enough to pull the match level.
But the U.S. managed to hold off a late French fleury and earned a hard-fought draw.
