Football
2018 International Friendly, International Friendly
FRA 
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 USA
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ESPN staff 6y

United States hangs on for remarkable draw against France in Lyon

France's Kylian Mbappe cancelled out a Julian Green goal for the United States in a 1-1 friendly draw in Lyon on Saturday night.

The result marks the first time the U.S. has not lost to the French in four tries and sends Didier Deschamps team to the World Cup on a low note after not beating an inexperienced American team. 

The U.S. weathered an early storm from the hosts in the first 10 minutes with Paul Pogba hitting the post and Olivier Giroud seeing a legitimate penalty shout waved off before heading a good chance from a set piece right at Zack Steffen.

The U.S. defense was tested throughout but held firm as Mbappe poked wide of the far post from a Benjamin Mendy cross on 26 minutes and Antoine Griezmann curled wide when left alone at the top of the area.

And right before half-time, the U.S. found a shock opener entirely against the run of play when Green beat Hugo Lloris at the near post after Djibril Sidibe misplayed a Shaq Moore cross.

The goal was Green's first for the U.S. national team since Oct. 11, 2016 and the first ever scored by an American against France.

The French came out with intent to start the second half, but it was the U.S. that looked to have scored again only for Bobby Wood to be whistled for offside after poking home another cross from Moore.

Matt Miazga and Giroud were both subbed off on the hour mark after the two clashed heads going for a cross following a corner kick and were left bloodied and in need of medical attention before leaving the field.

And the hosts would finally find the back of the net when Mbappe slotted home a first-time shot from a Benjamin Pavard cross to level the score. 

Lyon player Nabil Fekir playing in front of his home fans nearly put France ahead minutes later, forcing a fine save from Steffen with a curling free kick from 25 yards that was headed into goal.

The U.S. got the result despite not creating a single chance in the game and only having 26 percent possession. Steffen finished with seven saves in the match, the most by a U.S. keeper since Brad Guzan on July 25, 2015 against Panama in a match that also ended 1-1.

France begins World Cup play against Australia on June 16.

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