(VIDEO) The ball defied the laws of physics to prevent France from beating Greece

2023 is over for the French National Team. They had a very positive year, in which they secured their place at Euro 2024 by winning group B of the qualifiers, which also included the Netherlands, Greece, Ireland and Gibraltar. In fact, so clear was Les Bleus' superiority over their rivals that they clinched qualification in the October international break, with two games to spare.

That allowed them to play this week's two matches a little more relaxed, knowing that, whatever happened, their participation in the continent's most important tournament to be held next summer in Germany was not in jeopardy. After the 14-0 win vs Gibraltar last Saturday, coach Didier Deschamps decided that this time some stars of the squad deserved a rest. That's why Kylian Mbappé was on the bench.

During the first half things went well for them, as they scored the opener thanks to Randal Kolo Muani, who received an assist from Olivier Giroud and shot with his right foot inside the box. However, after the break things changed and Greece quickly scored two goals through Anastasios Bakasetas and Fotis Ioannidis.

At that point Deschamps decided it was time for Kylian Mbappé to come on. With him, the French regained the lead and got the equaliser with a beautiful goal by Youssouf Fofan. And in the last minutes they came close to winning it with a shot by 'Kiki' that was saved by goalkeeper Odisseas Vlachodimos and then crashed against the crossbar.

How is that possible?

Before that Mbappé shot, France had an unbeatable chance to score the third goal. Kingsley Coman sent a drilled cross into the box, but the ball deflected off a Greek defender and hit the post. Then, with a strange effect that seemed to defy the laws of physics, it travelled all the way down the line and hit the other post, before going out. The VAR reviewed this and indicated that it was not a goal, as the ball never fully crossed the line.