UEFA Nations League, League A, Group 1
Result: France 2-1 Germany
Date: 16 October 2018
Venue: Stade de France
France piled more misery on Germany, as the World Cup winners came from behind to claim a 2-1 victory in the UEFA Nations League on Tuesday.
Die Mannschaft grabbed the lead in the 14th minute through a penalty by Toni Kroos after Presnel Kimpembe was penalised for a handball inside the area.
Thilo Kehrer almost doubled the lead for Joachim Low's troops in the 24th minute with a brilliant header following a corner, but Les Bleus shot-stopper Hugo Lloris kept his team in the game with a good save.
Didier Deschamps' troops were in desperate need of some inspiration towards the end of the first stanza.
Paul Pogba almost got the equaliser for Les Bleus two minutes before the beak with a long range strike that could not hit the target and the reigning champions went into the halftime recess trailing the former champs 1-0.
Kylian Mbappe had a glorious chance to level matters for France seven minutes into the second stanza after going through on goal with only Manuel Neuer to beat, but the shot-stopper kept his team in the game with a good save.
Antoine Griezmann finally equalised for Les Bleus in the 62nd minute with a brilliant header from the penalty area that sailed into the far corner, following a cross from Lucas Hernandez.
Serge Gnabry came close to restoring the lead for Low's men 20 minutes before time with a threatening low strike from the left side of the box that was saved by Lloris.
Leroy Sane, who was a thorn in the flesh of France throughout the match, was substituted 15 minutes before time, with Julian Draxler taking his place.
Griezmann gave Les Bleus the lead with ten minutes remaining from the penalty spot after Blaise Matuidi was brought down inside the box, 2-1.
There was still time for Les Bleus to make it 3-1 in the closing minutes as the visitors were leaving themselves exposed at the back, but in the end 2-1 was enough for all the three points.
France now top Group 1 in League A with seven points from three matches while Germany are yet to win a match in their Nations League campaign after three games.
Other results:
League B Ukraine 1-0 Czech Republic Republic of Ireland 0-1 Wales League C Norway 1-0 Bulgaria Slovenia 1-1 Cyprus League D Kazakhstan 4-0 Andorra Armenia 4-0 Macedonia Latvia 0-2 Georgia Gibraltar 2-1 Lichtenstein
