France defeat Germany in UEFA Nationas League play-off, Italy sack manager Luciano Spalletti
Goals from captain Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise earned France a 2-0 victory over Germany in Stuttgart to claim third place in the UEFA Nations League.
Hosts of the finals, Germany were looking to bounce back from defeat in the last four against Portugal but fell behind on the stroke of half-time after Mbappe controlled and finished well to score his 50th international goal.
Germany thought they had levelled through Deniz Undav early in the second half, but the VfB Stuttgart forward's finish was ruled out following a VAR review.
France did, however, remain in control and should have made the result more comfortable before Mbappe squared for Olise late on to secure third spot, with Iberian neighbours Portugal and Spain facing off in the final later on Sunday.
Cristiano Ronaldo's winner ensured Germany tasted defeat for the first time since last year's European Championship on Wednesday.
They did start well against a France team who were beaten in a thrilling semi-final by Spain, with Florian Wirtz seeing one first-half slotted effort clip the post.
Mbappe, however, made no mistake after collecting Aurelien Tchouameni's long pass. The 26-year-old now sits just one goal behind second-placed Thierry Henry in France's all-time top goalscoring charts.
Undav's fine finish seemingly restored parity early in the second half, but Niclas Fuellkrug was penalised for a foul in the build-up.
Had it not been for Manuel Neuer and the woodwork, France would have been out of sight long before Bayern Munich's Olise tapped home to secure victory that ends their season on a high.
Meanwhile, Luciano Spalletti has been sacked as Italy head coach.
The 66-year-old announced the news during his press conference ahead of Monday's World Cup qualifier against Moldova.
Spalletti came under pressure after his country's campaign began with Friday evening's 3-0 defeat away to Norway.
His imminent departure - after he takes charge of the Group I meeting with Moldova in Reggio Emilia - was later confirmed by the Italian Football Federation.
"I spoke with (federation president Gabriele) Gravina last night and he informed me that I will be relieved of my duties as national team coach," Spalletti told a press conference, according to The Athletic.
"I am disappointed: given the relationship we have, I had no intention of stepping down. Especially when things are not going well, I would have preferred to stay and do my job.
"However, it is a dismissal and I have to accept it.
"I have always seen this role as a service to my country and I want to facilitate the future of the national team. I think it is right to seek the best solution."
Former Roma and Inter Milan coach Spalletti succeeded Euro 2020 winner Roberto Mancini as Azzurri boss in 2023 after guiding Napoli to the Serie A title.
He has won only 11 of his 23 matches in charge of the national team and oversaw a last-16 exit to Switzerland at Euro 2024.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
32 minutes ago
- RTÉ News
Nations League joy for Portugal after penalty shootout victory against Spain
Diogo Costa was the shootout hero as Portugal won the Nations League by defeating defending champions Spain 5-3 on penalties after twice coming from behind to draw 2-2 in Munich. Porto goalkeeper Costa denied Alvaro Morata from the spot before Ruben Neves slammed home the next kick to seal glory for Roberto Martinez's men. Talk of the first meeting between 40-year-old Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo and 17-year-old Spain winger Lamine Yamal dominated the build-up to the Allianz Arena showdown. Ronaldo's 61st-minute equaliser forced extra time but both players had been substituted by the time an absorbing contest was decided from 12 yards. Mikel Oyarzabal had earlier given Spain a half-time lead after the opening goal from his Real Sociedad team-mate Martin Zubimendi was cancelled out by impressive Portugal full-back Nuno Mendes. Portugal celebrated a second Nations League triumph, having won the inaugural tournament in 2019, with Ronaldo pictured in tears following the shootout. Goals seemed extremely likely in Bavaria, with Euro 2024 winners Spain having reached the final with a thrilling 5-4 win over France, while Portugal came from behind to beat Germany 2-1. Pedri and Nico Williams each threatened before Luis de la Fuente's side capitalised on their early ascendancy with a scrappy 21st-minute opener. Oyarzabal sparked the attack with a delightful flick in midfield and, after Portugal goalkeeper Costa and defenders Ruben Dias and Joao Neves made a mess of dealing with Yamal's delivery into the box, Zubimendi was on hand for a simple finish into the unguarded net. Portugal trailed for just four minutes. Marauding left-back Mendes - fresh from his Champions League triumph with Paris St Germain - claimed the leveller, bursting into the box beyond Oscar Mingueza to blast an angled drive into the bottom right corner for his first international goal. Martinez's side enjoyed increased possession and were largely subduing Spain before falling behind again in the final minute of the half. With Portuguese players appealing for a foul on Bernardo Silva by Robin Le Normand, Pedri drove forward and poked the ball through for Oyarzabal - who scored the winner in last summer's European Championship final against England - to divert an instinctive, first-time finish past Costa. Bruno Fernandes briefly thought he had levelled four minutes into the second period but Pedro Neto was offside before providing the assist. A second equaliser of the evening eventually arrived with 29 minutes to go. Mendes breezed past Yamal on Portugal's left and, after his low cross looped up off Le Normand, Ronaldo held off Marc Cucurella to volley home his 138th goal for his country. With the clock ticking towards an additional half an hour, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner limped off two minutes from time to be replaced by Goncalo Ramos. Portugal substitute Nelson Semedo scuffed wide early in extra time, while tempers threatened to boil over during a brief flashpoint after Mendes went down in Spain's box under a challenge from Alex Baena. Yamal was withdrawn ahead of a cagey second period of extra time before Portugal held their nerve to prevail on spot-kicks, with Spain substitute Morata the only man to miss. Earlier, Kylian Mbappe scored his 50th goal for France to help them claim third place with a 2-0 victory over Germany in Stuttgart. Germany spurned several chances to take the lead, most notably when Florian Wirtz saw his effort come back off the goal frame, before Mbappe struck on the stroke of half-time to put France ahead. Mbappe is now just one goal off Thierry Henry as France's second all-time leading goalscorer, and the Real Madrid forward then teed up substitute Michael Olise late on to secure a win for the visitors. Goalkeeper Mike Maignan was just as important for France, who lost a nine-goal semi-final thriller to Spain on Thursday, in this third-placed play-off as he made several important saves throughout.
Irish Independent
an hour ago
- Irish Independent
Ronaldo on mark as Portugal claim Nations League title with penalty shootout victory over Spain
Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa saved Álvaro Morata's spot kick, then Neves converted his team's fifth to seal the win after the match finished 2-2 after extra time. Cristiano Ronaldo pulled Portugal level at 2-2 in the 61st minute, but there was nothing else to separate the two sides when the referee signalled the end of normal time. Subbed off before extra time, Portugal captain Ronaldo dropped to the turf and sobbed tears of joy on the sidelines after Ruben Neves slotted home the winning penalty following Diogo Costa's save from Alvaro Morata's spot-kick. Spain had opened the scoring in the 21st minute when Martin Zubimendi poked home after Portugal failed to clear their lines. Their lead was short-lived as Nuno Mendes slammed a low, angled strike past Unai Simon and into the far corner of the net five minutes later. Mikel Oyarzabal, who netted a late winner in last summer's European Championship final against England, restored La Roja's advantage before the break. But Ronaldo came to Portugal's rescue as he shrugged off Marc Cucurella to reach Mendes' deflected cross and hook a volley in from close range.
Irish Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
"It's something we've come away from as a nation" - Ireland's Dara O'Shea
Dara O'Shea reckons Ireland have found what they were looking for - and if it's good enough for PSG, it's good enough for the Boys in Green. It's not reinventing the wheel either, more so a return to solid, old fashioned values that the Ipswich Town defender feels were missing. Results will dictate whether Heimir Hallgrimsson gets to extend his contract as Ireland manager, because his current deal expires at the end of the World Cup campaign. That means the FAI could be embarking on yet another managerial hunt in November, if Ireland finish third or bottom of a group containing Portugal, Hungary and Armenia. A second-placed finish would extend Hallgrimsson's stay into a playoff semi-final in March, and a final if they win that. And top spot means Ireland will qualify automatically for the 2026 showpiece in America, Canada and Mexico - but that's a tall order. It is notable how bullish Hallgrimsson has been in his belief that Ireland can qualify. He's not shying away from it and, in turn, nor are his players. Hallgrimsson has already said that he got Iceland to the 2018 World Cup with players he feels are not as good as the ones currently at his disposal. Stephen Kenny wasn't shy about making big statements about his Ireland team going into qualifying campaigns, but most of those were over almost as soon as they began. Hallgrimsson has restored a degree of pragmatism to the whole approach, and O'Shea is one of his most trusted lieutenants. And the significance of going unbeaten in the three games this year is not lost on the defender, going into tomorrow's friendly in Luxembourg. O'Shea said: 'We understand the way the manager wants us to play and how he wants us to be as a nation. That's the identity of us as Irish people too. 'Against Senegal, our reaction in the middle of the park, we lost the ball, we got around it. There were some big tackles, some big blocks. That's something that we've kind of come away from as a nation, which we should never - that's our identity, we're hard working people. 'With every successful team, the fundamental is hard work. You watch PSG in the Champions League final, they've got all the talent in the world but they worked hard as well and that's what got them there. We've that embedded in us as Irish people, so we've got to show that on the pitch and not take the moments for granted.' On Friday, Ireland were on track for a third win on the spin only to concede to Senegal eight minutes from time and settle for a 1-1 draw. But after putting Bulgaria to the sword twice in March, it means Ireland remain unbeaten in 2025 and O'Shea insists that's not to be sniffed at. 'There's obviously a mentality aspect of football and winning games and keeping that momentum going is massive,' he said. 'It's something we haven't really had as a nation for a while now. It's something this group hasn't had at all really. 'So it's important that we keep building and don't take the games for granted because before we know it we'll be in the World Cup campaign and right in the thick of it. 'You only get one chance to qualify, so it's important that we make the most of every moment we can. The manager believes in us as a group and he believes in himself. That's massive when you can feel the manager believes in you as a group.' On the club front, O'Shea is reeling after Ipswich were relegated but he is already the subject of fresh Premier League interest for next season. A clubmate of Ireland internationals Chiedozie Ogbene, Sammie Szmodics and Jack Taylor, O'Shea had a strong individual season and performed well in a losing side. Wolves, Leeds and his former club Burnley are all reportedly keen on making a move this summer. But O'Shea said: 'I'm fully committed to Ipswich at the moment. I've got another four years there and I want to get the club back into the Premier League. 'I'm ambitious as a player and obviously I want to be playing in the Premier League but I know it's not as easy as that. Whatever happens in football it happens for a reason. You have a journey and you've got to stick to that sometimes.' O'Shea added: 'I feel like I'm well capable of playing in the Premier League and I've got to get myself back there now. I spoke to the gaffer at Ipswich and that's the task he's set me - to carry on those standards of a Premier League player and still owe it to myself to be like that. 'It's really hard when you come off the back of relegation but I'm happy with how I played. I've grown into a leader and I play better when I have that responsibility.'
