Blaise Matuidi Shines with Brace as France Edge Serbia in Friendly
Blaise Matuidi delivered a standout performance for France on Monday night, scoring both goals in a 2-1 friendly win over Serbia in Bordeaux. The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder capped off his brace with a stunning volley from outside the box — a strike that left both fans and commentators in awe.
While not typically known for his goal-scoring flair, Matuidi showcased a more clinical and confident side to his game, something he credits to his environment at PSG.
“I saw the ball coming and I didn’t think twice,” Matuidi told TF1 after the match. “Sometimes it goes in, sometimes it doesn’t. This time, it did — and that’s great. But the most important thing is that the team wins.”
The 28-year-old midfielder, whose role for club and country has often been more industrious than glamorous, is clearly embracing a more decisive attacking role. He pointed to the influence of playing alongside elite strikers at PSG as a key factor in his development.
“I think it’s thanks to training every day with world-class forwards who score over 30 goals a season,” he said. “They push me to aim for perfection. I’m learning from them — from passing to finishing — and trying to improve all the time.”
France, already qualified as hosts of Euro 2016, have been using these friendlies to fine-tune their squad and tactics. After a composed 1-0 win away to Portugal last Friday, Les Bleus continued their preparations with another encouraging display.
Matuidi’s impact has not gone unnoticed, with his form offering further options to manager Didier Deschamps in midfield. A player once celebrated solely for his work rate and stamina is now evolving into a more complete presence on the pitch.
“We were lucky at times,” Matuidi added, “but we’ve done good things in both games. It’s important to take those positives forward. We all want to be ready for the Euros, and that means treating every friendly seriously.”
With Euro 2016 on home soil just months away, France will be hoping Matuidi’s transformation continues — and that his growing influence can help guide the team to another major tournament triumph.
