France vs Turkey Player Ratings: Cherki 8.8/10 as Les Bleus Survive Late Scare

Quick Summary Table

France needed a corner, a deflection and a substitute to beat Turkey national football team in Bordeaux, and nearly gave it all away in the 90th minute. Jeremy Jacquet forced Rayan Cherki’s flicked-on corner off Emirhan Topcu in the 49th minute, Junior Kroupi made it 2-0 on 80, and Abdulkerim Bardakci headed in Arda Guler’s early corner to set up a tense finish.

Rayan Cherki tops the player ratings at 8.8/10 as man of the match, taking the corner behind the first goal and then playing the pass in behind for Kroupi. France national football team had 20 shots by the 78th minute, well above their Nations League average of 17.7, yet Berke Ozer made five saves in the first half alone.

Topcu’s 5.0/10 makes him the worst player on the pitch after the own goal. Kylian Mbappe had a first-half goal ruled out for offside, and VAR cancelled a Guler goal on 54 for an earlier Baris Alper Yilmaz offside. Turkiye have now lost all six of their Nations League games. Check out the France vs Turkey player ratings.

France National Football Team Player Ratings vs Turkey

Here are the France national football team player ratings from the France vs Turkey player ratings.

Goalkeeper

Mike Maignan - 6.5: Maignan only played the first half yet still had key moments. We noticed his distribution stayed sharp, with 92 percent passing accuracy and calm long balls. His save from Ismail Yüksek’s close-range effort kept the game level at a tricky moment. The lack of spectacular saves keeps his rating grounded. Still, he laid a stable platform before being replaced at the break.

Guillaume Restes - 7: Restes entered at halftime with the game still goalless and tension rising. He produced a crucial stop from Arda Güler’s long-range effort, which felt huge in the moment. We noticed his body language stayed relaxed even as Turkey grew braver after falling behind. His passing was functional rather than daring, but it avoided trouble.

Defenders

Saël Kumbedi Nseke - 7: Kumbedi quietly stitched together a strong performance on the flank. He racked up 55 touches and completed 92 percent of his passes, which shows composure under pressure. We noticed his aggression stepping up early, even if he gave away a foul on Arda. His cross to Rabiot for that early headed chance hinted at his attacking intent. Defensively, he won half his duels and was dribbled past only once.

Ibrahima Konaté - 6.5: Konaté’s night was a mix of authority and rashness. He read several Turkish counters well, making key recoveries and stepping in front of passes. However, we felt his yellow card in the 55th minute summed up some unnecessary aggression. In duels, he was solid but not dominant, winning half of them and losing a couple of aerials. What stood out to us was his progressive passing into the final third, which helped pin Türkiye back. A decent outing, slightly marred by the booking and a few clumsy moments.

Jérémy Jacquet - 7: Jacquet impressed us more the longer the match went on. He completed 56 of 58 passes, a ridiculous 97 percent accuracy for a center-back. We noticed how calm he stayed under Turkish pressure, even when corners piled up against France. He blocked shots, cleared danger, and rarely looked flustered despite losing more duels than he’d like.

Andy Diouf - 6.5: Deployed in a hybrid defensive role, Diouf had a busy but uneven night. He touched the ball 85 times and completed 93 percent of his passes, which shows reliability in circulation. We noticed some shaky moments defensively, particularly when he was dribbled past and slow to reset. Offensively, he nearly scored from the edge of the box just before halftime. His duels record, winning four of ten, reflects that slight inconsistency.

Midfielders

Adrien Rabiot - 7: Rabiot’s performance felt like a classic box-to-box shift. He fired four shots, including one on target that drew a big save from Berke Özer. We noticed how often he arrived late in the box, causing chaos on set pieces. Defensively, his six ball recoveries and two tackles underlined his work rate. The downside came with his fouls and occasional sloppy possession, which disrupted France’s rhythm at times.

Lucas Da Cunha - 7.5: Da Cunha might fly under many radars, but not ours tonight. He completed 59 of 65 passes and did so with 91 percent accuracy, constantly keeping France’s tempo high. We noticed his smart positioning, always offering a safe outlet yet sneaking into advanced zones. His two big chances created showcased his vision between the lines. Defensively, he put in four tackles and six recoveries, which impressed us.

Rayan Cherki - 8.8: For us, Cherki was the standout and the highest-rated player on the pitch. He completed 58 of 62 passes, sprayed five accurate long balls and created three key chances. We noticed his body language; he looked fearless, constantly demanding the ball in tight spaces. His assist for Junior Kroupi’s clincher was pure composure, timed perfectly after drifting inside. Defensively, he chipped in with tackles, interceptions, and even aerial contributions.

Forwards

Michael Olise - 7.5: Olise’s numbers might say 0 goals, but his impact felt real. He took four shots, forced multiple strong saves from Berke Özer and kept cutting inside dangerously. We noticed how often he combined with Kumbedi, overloading the right flank and isolating Eren Elmalı. His two key passes and steady delivery from wide made Türkiye defend deep. Defensively, he tracked back, committing tactical fouls and winning tackles in dangerous channels.

Bradley Barcola - 6.5: Barcola’s night was frustrating and promising at the same time. He registered three shots, including one on target that Özer clawed away brilliantly. We noticed his willingness to press and track back, winning four of five duels and making three tackles. However, two big chances missed hurt his overall impression, especially the close-range miss after a corner.

Kylian Mbappé - 7: Mbappé was a constant threat, yet not at his ruthless best. He took five shots, three on target, and kept forcing Berke Özer into top saves. We noticed his creativity too, with three key passes and a couple of slick through balls. His dribbling, four successful attempts from seven, constantly stretched Türkiye’s back line. However, two big chances missed dragged his rating down slightly.

Substitutes

Eduardo Camavinga - 6.5: Camavinga entered just after the hour and brought fresh energy. He attempted several shots from distance, though two sailed frustratingly high and wide. We noticed his willingness to press aggressively, even if it led to a couple of fouls. His passing occasionally forced the tempo too much, but it did push Türkiye back.

Junior Kroupi - 7.5: Kroupi’s cameo was decisive and memorable. He had one big chance, and he absolutely buried it with a composed finish from the left of the box. We noticed his movement before the goal, drifting off the shoulder at just the right moment. Earlier, his shot from a tight angle was blocked, showing his willingness to attack space.

Warren Zaïre-Emery - 6.5: Coming on late, Zaïre-Emery had limited time but still influenced the midfield. We noticed his composure in tight pockets, always opening his body to play forward. He helped France keep control as Türkiye chased the game, slowing the tempo cleverly. With so few minutes, his statistical footprint remained small.

Manager

Z. Zidane - 7.5: Zidane’s game plan balanced patience and aggression nicely. We noticed how France stayed committed to short combinations while still using long switches. His decision to introduce Kroupi and Camavinga around the hour mark shifted the momentum again. If anything, France could have been more clinical earlier, which might bother him. Overall though, his in-game management and timing of substitutions proved decisive in this 2-1 win.

Turkey National Football Team Player Ratings vs France

Have a look at the Turkey national football team player ratings from the France vs Turkey player ratings.

Goalkeeper

Berke Özer - 8.5: Özer was simply outstanding despite the defeat. He made seven saves, many from point-blank range against Mbappé, Olise and Barcola. We noticed his positioning, always half a step ahead, closing angles early. His long kicking was bold, hitting 22 long balls and sparking transitions from deep.

Defenders

Merih Demiral - 6.5: Demiral threw himself into blocks all night. Four blocked shots stood out, particularly when France peppered the box after corners. We noticed his physical battles with Mbappé; he relished most of them and rarely backed off. His passing was basic but safe, with 84 percent accuracy from 19 passes.

Emirhan Topçu - 5: This was a harsh night for Topçu, and we honestly felt for him. Defensively, he actually won most of his duels and drew several fouls, relieving pressure. But the own goal at 49 minutes changed everything emotionally and tactically. We noticed his shoulders drop slightly after that moment, the body language of someone replaying it in his head. His passing remained okay, yet the sense of hesitation crept into his game.

Abdülkerim Bardakcı - 6.5: Bardakcı quietly had a solid evening under heavy fire. He completed 47 of 52 passes and stepped out with four long balls. We noticed his timing in challenges, winning three of four duels and competing fairly in the air. His header from a corner could easily have changed the story if it were on target. Defensively, he blocked shots and kept France’s central runs mostly under control.

Eren Elmalı - 5.5: Elmalı had a tough assignment dealing with Olise and overlapping runs from Kumbedi. We noticed he tried to stay compact, but France repeatedly isolated him one-versus-one. Offensively, he offered the occasional overlapping run and a helpful assist for an Arda shot. Still, his duel success was low and he struggled to stop crosses.

Barış Alper Yılmaz - 5.5: Listed as a defender here, Barış Alper put in a chaotic shift. He worked extremely hard, making ten recoveries and three clearances, which we definitely noticed. However, his yellow card and numerous fouls reflected a slightly reckless edge. On the ball, he lost possession frequently, and his dribbles were hit-and-miss.

Midfielders

Hakan Çalhanoğlu - 7: Hakan tried to dictate the tempo from deep. He completed 41 of 47 passes, and we noticed his calm recycling under France’s press. Defensively, he posted six recoveries and three tackles, showing real commitment. His foul count climbed as he tried to disrupt France's rhythm, sometimes at the cost of flow.

Can Uzun - 7: Uzun impressed us with his maturity between the lines. He completed 33 of 36 passes and created a big chance with a smart through ball. We noticed how he linked counters, always choosing sensible options rather than forcing glory balls. Defensively, he contributed with tackles and duels, not shying away from contact. His one shot was blocked, but he still felt influential before being replaced.

İsmail Yüksek - 6: Yüksek’s night was a classic holding midfielder grind. He made one big run into the box, forcing a good save from Maignan. We noticed his defensive positioning more than his passing, as he tried to screen Cherki’s spaces. However, being dribbled past several times weakened Türkiye’s central resistance. His offside call on a promising break added to the frustration.

Salih Özcan - 6: Coming on for Yüksek, Özcan brought bite and aggression. We noticed his yellow card almost coming before the foul even landed; such was his intensity. He broke up play a few times but also conceded unnecessary free kicks. On the ball, he kept things simple, which suited a chasing side.

Orkun Kökçü - 6.5: Kökçü entered late and tried to add creativity in central zones. We noticed his willingness to drop deep for possession and switch play quickly. With France already two goals up, the spaces he wanted never fully opened. Still, his touches were clean and his intent positive.

Forwards

Arda Güler - 7.5: Arda was Türkiye’s brightest outfield spark. He took five shots, had a goal ruled out by VAR and constantly tested France from range. We noticed his confidence never dipped, even after that disallowed strike. His ten recoveries and two interceptions highlighted how hard he worked off the ball.

Deniz Gül - 6: Deniz fought hard but had a patchy performance. He recorded two shots, one blocked and one dragged wide from a header. We noticed how often he battled in the air, winning four of six aerials. His passing, though, was loose, and he turned the ball over far too often.

Substitutes

Yunus Akgün - 6.5: Akgün gave Türkiye some late width and urgency. We noticed his direct running, which at least pinned back France’s full-back for short stretches. On the ball, he looked tidy but didn’t quite find the killer pass. His defensive contribution helped press high for a brief spell.

Other Late Substitutes - 6: Türkiye’s other late introductions struggled to leave a strong statistical imprint. We noticed a lot of running, some pressing and a few tidy touches. However, by the time they entered, France had already tightened their shape and slowed the tempo.

Manager

A. Yalçın - 6.5: Yalçın set his team up compact and combative, and it nearly worked. We noticed how Türkiye’s lines stayed close, making it hard for France to break them down for 45 minutes. His trust in pressing triggers around Arda and Can Uzun created some dangerous counters. However, the reaction after the own goal felt slightly delayed; they wavered mentally.

France vs Turkey Man of the Match: Rayan Cherki (8.8/10)

Rayan Cherki earned Man of the Match with an 8.8 rating. His corner was flicked on by Rabiot and forced in off Topcu for the 49th-minute opener. On 80 minutes, he took the return pass from Kroupi and played him in behind to finish. He also fired just wide on 13, played Mbappe in on 64, and made way for Warren Zaire-Emery on 82.

Worst Player in France vs Turkey: Emirhan Topcu (5.0/10)

Turkey defender Emirhan Topcu was the lowest-rated player on the pitch at 5.0/10. Jacquet reacted quickest to Rabiot’s flick-on at the near post, and the ball went in off Topcu for an own goal on 49. He did help set up Bardakci’s chance on 83, firing the ball back into the middle, but it did not offset the own goal.