France vs. Belgium: Score and Twitter Reaction from 2015 Friendly

The French national team has become the subject of brutal criticism after a 4-3 home defeat to neighbours Belgium. Manchester United's Marouane Fellaini netted a pair of goals as the Belgians ran riot early on, building a 4-1 lead before a pair of late goals nearly salvaged pride for the French on home soil.

The late rally didn't impress B/R French Football expert Jonathan Johnson:

It may have only been an international friendly, but the early slump was alarming from a squad supposed to be primed to join the world's elite ahead of hosting UEFA Euro 2016.

ESPN journalist Julien Laurens summed up the feeling perfectly with one blunt phrase:

Laurens putting the scoreline into historical context only emphasised how weak the France squad looked:

But the fickle nature of context is proved when considering what the result means for Belgium, per the Belgian Waffle:

"

Make that four for Belgium (Hazard pen). Last time they got 4 v France was 1950!

— The Belgian Waffle (@TheBelgianWffle) June 7, 2015"

The French were run ragged right from the start, a pattern that continued for 85 minutes. Belgium attacked with direct pace, particularly from the flanks.

The Belgians also dominated the midfield battle. Fellaini and fellow midfield warriors Axel Witsel and Radja Nainggolan bossed proceedings with their muscle, energy and underrated skill.

France's only response was to resort to overt and cynical physicality. It did little to stop them from chasing shadows.

But rough and borderline-legal tackling from the French couldn't prevent neighbours Belgium from staking themselves a 2-0 lead at the break. The home team got off to a sluggish start on the same day the U21 squad enjoyed a big victory, per the official French Football Weekly Twitter feed:

Belgium soon made the seniors pay for stumbling out of the traps. Their pace and devilish delivery from the flanks caused a host of problems.

But it took a fortunate bounce for towering midfielder Fellaini to capitalise. He slotted home a smart finish after AS Roma midfield destroyer Nainggolan rasped a shot toward goal at the end of a rare foray forward.

L'Actu Foot provided highlights, per Twitter:

Fellaini is often only defined by his aerial threat and aggression. But his goal was well taken following a nice example of close control and a calm, measured finish to slide the ball out of Hugo Lloris' reach.

The goal gave Fellaini a distinction he now shares with international boss Marc Wilmots, according to OptaJean:

But despite reminding onlookers of his quality on the ground, it wasn't long before Fellaini left his feet to gain his familiar command of the skies. It was a typically powerful header from the 27-year-old that doubled the visitors' lead.

Again, L'Actu Foot provided highlights of the goal:

Yielding to a headed goal from a free-kick further exposed one of the main weaknesses of the current French squad, per OptaJean:

Centre-backs Raphael Varane and Laurent Koscielny both excel in one-on-one situations on the ground. Yet the duo can be bullied in the air.

But it wasn't just problems in the middle undermining the France back four. Full-backs Bacary Sagna and Benoit Tremoulinas struggled mightily to contains Belgium's width and trickery.

In particular, Sevilla man Tremoulinas couldn't handle Napoli forward Dries Mertens, according to Johnson:

Mertens' ability to consistently win on the wing and provide quality delivery constantly menaced France and maintained Belgium's aerial threat:

France manager Didier Deschamps had to act at the break. He didn't waste the opportunity, making two changes to a forward line that Belgium had stunted during the opening 45 minutes:

But those changes did little to alter the pattern of play. A scuffed chance from misfiring Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud was about as good as it got in an attacking sense for the French during the first 50 minutes.

Yet while the French clumsily laboured across the pitch, the Belgians were quick covering ground as well as assured and efficient with the ball.

A brilliant example came after Giroud's miss. Nainggolan found the net to cap a swift and stylish counter.

The goal earned the away side a piece of history, according to the Belgian Waffle:

"

Belgium have scored three goals against France for the first time since 1992, I believe.

— The Belgian Waffle (@TheBelgianWffle) June 7, 2015"

Belgium soon reached a milestone dating back over four decades earlier than that after Eden Hazard fired in a fourth. The Chelsea winger answered Mathieu Valbuena's successful penalty with a conversion of his own from the spot.

As the visitors continue to fashion chances with the minimum of fuss, the French defence came in for some strong criticism:

The breakdowns were as much due to individual errors as a collective farce, per Johnson:

Koscielny is well thought of in the Premier League, but his supporters often overlook his penchant for calamity. OptaJean detailed how costly the 29-year-old's mistakes usually are:

But it wasn't just dismal play at the back that troubled France. Things were just as poor in forward areas.

In particular, Gunners striker Giroud endured a tough night. The lost-looking attacker offered little to trouble a weakened Belgian defence:

Even when Giroud's night was brought to a merciful end, his problems weren't over:

Late strikes from Lyon playmaker Nabil Fekir and Marseille attacker Dimitri Payet put a fairly weak gloss on an otherwise dreadful performance that only aspired to mediocre.

The result was a sobering reminder for France that they still have plenty to improve before Euro 2016. Deschamps hasn't got the midfield balance right, while the forward line and defence also feature too many question marks:

Paul Pogba and Patrice Evra pulling UEFA Champions League final duty for Juventus undoubtedly hindered Deschamps' plans. But Tremoulinas' dire performance only reinforced how reliant the French still are on 34-year-old left-back Evra.

As for the problems up front, it was a shame Deschamps didn't indulge some of his country's emerging talents earlier on.

Fekir's goal offered a glimpse of the possible bright future ahead for France:

His prolific combination with fellow Lyon forward Alexandre Lacazette might have been unleashed from the start. Meanwhile, Arsenal anchorman Francis Coquelin would surely have offered greater security at the base of midfield.     

Deschamps now has some tough choices to make. Certainly, Arsenal duo Giroud and Koscielny did little to secure their places as stalwarts in the international setup.

As for Belgium, their rugged squad showed off surprising technical quality and flair at a tough venue. The combination of brawn and creativity bodes well for Wilmots' team's Euro 2016 qualifying campaign.