Anthony Martial was outstanding against Italy and it looked like he had finally kickstarted his international career with his first goal, but on Tuesday we saw the Martial from the Euros again, hardly making a difference. Indeed, he was subbed after 57 minutes, clearly looking unhappy. Dimitri Payet, who replaced him on the left, did more than him in just over half an hour on the pitch.Olivier Giroud had one chance in Italy and netted for the 11th time in his last 12 caps. He had three big opportunities on Tuesday, one his left foot after a wonderful backheel from Antoine Griezmann at the start of the second half, but the debate over Karim Benzema will be back if the Real Madrid man is fit come the next international break.
The main worry, though, is over Griezmann. It has been three games since he scored for France and has hasn't netted for Atletico Madrid so far this season in the league either. He is clearly not 100 percent yet, and while that may be normal after a heavy workload last season on top of the Euros, he is so influential that France suffer when he is not at his best.
The win in Italy had suggested that Les Bleus were ready to pick up where they left off at the Euros, but the 0-0 draw in Belarus has brought them back to reality. Two years of meaningless friendly matches before the European Championship on home soil is over and things matter again on the international stage.
As usual, it looks like France won't cruise to qualification for the World Cup. The pressure is already huge for the next qualifier at home against Bulgaria in October, while a trip to Rotterdam to face Netherlands four days later will be a tough test. After the stumble against Belarus, France have to show who the bosses are in the group and that their form at the Euros was not a one-off.