Chapter 357: Chapter 106: Ribery Leaves Early! The Start of a Hat Trick! Popularity Rising Again!

"Swish!" The football hit the net, helping Belgium claw back one more, slightly clearing the gloom.

But in the 80th minute of the subsequent game, Giroud received a cross from Menez and scored a header, maintaining the two-goal lead.

"Substitution?"

On the sidelines, Deschamps’ assistant noticed Ma’el was gradually slowing down, "He’s been chasing the ball throughout the first half, his energy must be nearly exhausted."

"Get Malouda warmed up."

Deschamps nodded in agreement, he certainly wouldn’t overuse Ma’el, it’s still important to protect the players.

From any perspective, Ma’el’s performance today was nothing short of perfect, his level always seemed a step ahead of others, as if always quicker by a beat.

When playing, Deschamps’ position was a midfielder..... but his impact was strong, he liked to suddenly accelerate the team’s rhythm by his own strength!

It’s physical ability!

And football intelligence!

Deschamps liked such a player, he increasingly felt that his efforts to fight for the French National Team coach position in front of the media, including some efforts behind the scenes, were the right move.

He now had a sharp sword, just waiting to be honed and fitted with a suitable and quality scabbard, ready to draw this sword in the Euro Cup!

"Beep!"

At this time, the referee blew the whistle for a foul, Kompany tripped Menez during a right-side defense.

Menez stood up and positioned himself in front of the ball, ready to take the free-kick.

Ma’el quickly wandered over, seemingly a bit interested in the opportunity to take the kick..... but he didn’t directly contend for it, just hovered beside.

"Want to take it?"

Menez took Ma’el’s assist, didn’t ignore his interest, and offered, "You’ve already got 2 goals, another one would give you a chance for a hat trick."

"Sure." Ma’el immediately followed with a grin, not giving Menez a chance to reconsider, smiling: "You’ll need to run up to deceive the goalkeeper..... I’ll pretend to shoot and then suddenly curve it to the far corner."

Menez: "..."

Already planned, huh?

Agreed so readily?

No room for more words, he nodded with a dry smile.

"Beep!"

When the referee blew the whistle allowing the kick, Ma’el looked towards the defensive wall and the goalkeeper’s direction, the wall was quite tall, around 1.9 meters, easily surpassing 2.3 meters when jumping.

Adding to that, Courtois’ large stature and wide coverage, if kicked normally, the chances might not be great.

He pondered for a moment, a line appeared in his mind, focusing his gaze on the ball.

"Thump thump thump."

The sound of footsteps, Menez stood in place, taking small steps watching the goal, looking ready to run forward to drive the ball.

In front of the goal, Courtois lowered his center of gravity, eyes fixed on the ball in front of Menez, ready to save.

At this moment, he saw Ma’el sprint forward, running toward the ball.

He remained vigilant, without certainty on who would kick, best to treat both as potential threats.

"Bang!!"

The sound of ball contact indeed resonated, as the first to reach the ball, Ma’el suddenly shot, the players in the wall reacted quickly, leaping up.

"Squeak squeak squeak.....!" But in a surprising turn, the ball skimmed the ground heading to the near corner, slipping through under the players’ feet in the wall!

Courtois initially guarded against Ma’el, but not seeing the ball coming, by the time he noticed the ball under the wall, it was already close at hand.

"Swish!"

This reckless ground sliced free-kick finally connected with the near corner net.

Five to two!

3rd goal!

"Fack!"

Chelsea’s Courtois, accustomed to speaking English, sat on the ground, feeling very frustrated.

"Yeah.....!"

The Clairefontaine trainees erupted in excited cheers once more, witnessing a powerful new addition to the French team!

Hat trick!

This will be France’s hope for future major tournaments!

"Show time....!"

A few members of the British support group brightened up, clapping, witnessing a pure showcase.

"Damn! Damn!" The young star Mbappe stood up, face flushed, repeatedly uttering several French curses, expressing the shock within his heart.

"Hat trick!"

Deschamps, just about to submit a substitution to the fourth official, saw this sudden goal and put down his action, marveling as he returned to the bench, "This is a real hat trick, magic! It’s like there’s magic in his feet!"

"Perfect!" One of his assistants nodded in agreement, both Deschamps’ debut and Ma’el’s debut concluded with this goal, placing a perfect mark.

"Oh.....!"

On the field, Ma’el ran towards the corner flag with his right hand raised, after delivering a combination of punches, he brought Batistuta’s machine-gun celebration to the French National Team.

Even if this game didn’t have much audience, nor would videos or news emerge.

But for him, it was extremely important..... completing a match in such a manner in an international Level A match, something he never dared to imagine before.

goals 1 assist!

It may be hard to find another player in French National Team history with such an excellent debut performance.

If his goal is to compete for the best in history, then his start is already a historic best start..... this will greatly encourage and motivate him!

Apart from the tight club schedule, he starts a new campaign and a new pursuit of honor in the best form!

"Lucky I gave it to you!"

Menez quickly caught up, hugging him from behind, "Otherwise, wouldn’t it be a pity."

After some difficult players were off, the team atmosphere in the second half was much better, the majority of French players came over to celebrate together.