France 2-1 Germany
France came from behind to win a dramatic UEFA Nations League clash with Germany at the Stade de France in Paris, which lifts Les Bleus four points clear at the top of the group and leaves Germany in the mire.
Joachim Low’s beleaguered side had the better of the first half and went ahead through a Toni Kroos penalty, but France looked more like their selves in the second, and a brace from Antoine Griezmann won the points.
France are up there in the UEFA Nations League 2018 odds as a potential winner, and as World Champions, with Group A1 almost wrapped up. Who would argue with that?
Highlights of the game
Didier Deschamps named a superstar line-up and his team settled into its stride immediately. Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante were pulling the strings in midfield as Les Bleus got on the front foot, and Antoine Griezmann had the first pot at goal from distance.
Kylian Mbappe changed the course of France’s recent game against Iceland, climbing off the bench to rescue a draw. He’s the man of the moment in European football after an eye-catching World Cup and recently appearing on the cover of Time magazine. So all eyes were on him as he raced free and centred for Olivier Giroud, but his ball was just behind the Chelsea striker.
Then came a shock, and you don’t often say that when Germany score! As Pogba dithered, Leroy Sane stole the ball. The ball struck a sliding Presnel Kimpembe on the arm as he headed for goal, and the referee pointed to the spot. Up stepped Toni Kroos to slide the ball home. Game on!
The goal seemed to spark Germany and they dominated the first half like the World Champions they used to be while France looked strangely lacklustre. Sane’s pace was causing the French no end of problems, and Matthias Ginter came close with his effort from a corner.
France woke up minutes before the break and Griezmann almost put Mbappe in to score, but Manuel Neuer just beat him to the ball. Giroud then fired over when he had a great chance.
Former Germany defender Per Mertesacker has said that Joachim Low needs to find results quickly after such a bad World Cup, and he certainly got what he was looking for in the first 45.
I’m sure Didier Deschamps had a few things to say to his World Champions during the break. Whatever it was almost paid dividends on 53 minutes after Mbappe showed a brilliant turn of pace to run through on goal, but Neuer stood firm to save.
There was nothing the keeper could do on 62 minutes, however, when Griezmann glanced a beautiful header beyond his reach and into the top corner.
That changed the game: the favourites started to move the ball around more quickly and with greater intent while Germany began to look uncertain.
And France turned the game on its head on 80 minutes when Blaise Matuidi was hacked down by Mats Hummels in the penalty area to win a penalty, and up stepped Griezmann to fire home his second.
Low must wonder what he can do next to lift his team. Having exited the World Cup in the group stage, Germany now look favourites to be relegated in the Nations League. Strange times, indeed.
Key statistics
With France joint top and Germany joint 12th of the FIFA rankings, this was always a game Les Bleus should win at odds of 1.82 with SBOBET.
Low’s team had over 60 per cent possession in the first half, but France turned the game around and ended up winning the shot-count by 14 to 11.
France haven’t lost in five against Germany and are now unbeaten in 16 matches, while the Germans have lost six in 12. It’s the first time they’ve lost six games in a year.
Toni Kroos was the fifth Germany penalty taker to score their last five penalties. Maybe they need a more settled team…
What’s next?
A resurgent Netherlands team destroyed Germany last week and will be ready to meet France in November when the two will fight it out for the top spot. You have to fancy the World Champions with a four-point advantage. But if they lose, they will rely on Germany, who then host the Netherlands after a friendly with Russia
Can it get any worse for Germany? Well, make sure you keep up with the UEFA Nations League 2018 news with us, right here at SBOBET.
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