
Mbappe and Olise earn France third place in Nations League
STUTTGART, Germany, June 8 (Reuters) - Goals from captain Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise earned France a 2-0 victory over Germany in Stuttgart on Sunday, a success that means they finish third in this season's Nations League.
Hosts of the Nations League finals, Germany were looking to bounce back from defeat in the last four against Portugal but fell behind on the stroke of halftime after Real Madrid striker Mbappe controlled and finished well.
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.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Reuters
33 minutes ago
- Reuters
It's a privilege to make history with you, Alcaraz tells Sinner
PARIS, June 8 (Reuters) - French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz praised his rival Jannik Sinner after their burgeoning rivalry offered the Roland Garros crowd a vintage final clash at Roland Garros on Sunday. Spain's Alcaraz retained his title after saving three match points to beat world number one Sinner 4-6 6-7(4) 6-4 7-6(3) 7-6(10-2) in the longest French Open final since tennis turned professional in 1968 - a battle lasting five hours 29 minutes. "I am pretty sure you are going to be champion not once, but many, many times. It is a privilege to share the court with you in every tournament," Alcaraz said on court after ending Sinner's 20-match winning streak at Grand Slams. "I am just really, really happy to be able to make history with you in this tournament, in other tournaments; you are a huge inspiration to young kids and to me." Alcaraz has now won his five Grand Slam finals and handed Sinner his first defeat in a major final after the Italian claimed his first three at the Australian Open (2024 and 2025) and U.S. Open (2024). Alcaraz thanked the court Philippe Chatrier crowd for their support, which he said helped him throughout the tournament. "Then Paris, guys, I mean, you have been a really important support to me since the first practice, since the first round," he said. "You were unbelievable. You were insane for me. I mean, I just can't, can't thank enough, you know, to you for the great support during the whole week, for today's match. "For today's match, you were really, really important. You are in my heart and you'll always be in my heart. So thank you. Thank you very much, Paris. And see you next year."


The Sun
41 minutes ago
- The Sun
Portugal vs Spain – Nations League final LIVE SCORE: Mendes wipes out Zubimendi's opener in epic showpiece
PORTUGAL have equalised in what is shaping up to be a thrilling Nations League final against Spain! Arsenal target Zubimendi broke the deadlock after a defensive mix-up. However, minutes later, Nuno Mendes cut in from the left-hand side before firing past Unai Simon. Today, 18:58 By Nyle Smith Portugal's route to the final Cristiano Ronaldo scored the winner as Portugal fought back to beat Germany 2-1 in their semi-final. Germany dominated the first half, but it remained goalless thanks to the heroics of Portugal keeper Diogo Costa. However, Germany took the lead in the 48th minute, as Florian Wirtz headed in unmarked in the box, following a pinpoint lobbed pass from Joshua Kimmich. But Portugal turned the match around, first equalizing through substitute Francisco Conceição in the 63rd minute. Then Ronaldo, 40, captained Portugal and scored his 137th international goal five minutes after substitute Conceição had made it 1-1. Today, 18:38 By Nyle Smith How Spain got here Lamine won the Battle of the Ballon d'Or as Spain sneaked into the Nations League final after a nine-goal thriller against France in the semis All eyes in Stuttgart were on the mouthwatering duel between La Roja sensation Yamal, 17, and Les Bleus star Ousmane Dembele, 28. Both are in with a shout of winning the Ballon d'Or in three months time with 51 club goals in all competitions between them for Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain this term. Yet it was the Barca teenage superstar who grabbed the headlines with a stunning second-half double – now with 48 goal contributions in 57 games for club and country this campaign – alongside impressive strikes from Nico Williams, Mikel Merino and Pedri. Kylian Mbappe netted a 59th-minute spot-kick and a late comeback looked on the cards thanks to debutant Rayan Cherki's 79th-minute attempt, an 84th-minute Daniel Vivian own goal and Randal Kolo Muani 's injury-time header. But Spain held on, facing Portugal in Munich on Sunday – their third Nations League final on the spin - and sets up a clash between Yamal and Cristiano Ronaldo for the first time. Today, 18:33 By Nyle Smith Lamine the dream However, teen sensation Lamine Yamal stole the plaudits once again a day later as his double for La Roja earned Spain a thrilling 5-4 semi-final victory against France. Today, 18:32 By Nyle Smith Cris cross Cristiano Ronaldo continued to do what he has been doing for decades last Wednesday - scoring goals - and his 68th-minute strike fired Portugal to a 2-1 win over Germany in the semis. Today, 18:30 By Welcome to SunSport's coverage of the Nations League final! Football lovers cannot wait to see what unfolds in the Nations League final tonight between Portugal and Spain - and we'll be all over it! La Roja are on a fantastic international run as they are on the hunt for a third international trophy in three years. pain won the Nations League in 2023 against Croatia and the Euro's last year overcoming England in the final. They will be attempting to become back to back Nations League champions and are well on the way after overcoming France in an enthralling 9 goal encounter. Once again it was the Barcelona star Lamine Yamal who was the talk of the game as he won player of the match by scoring two goals in his sides 5-4 win. However, the footballing icon Cristiano Ronaldo will want to show the teenager who's boss with a second Nations League win. The Portuguese forward scored his 137th international goal - breaking yet another record - for his country against Germany to win the game 2-1 and secure a final spot. Ronaldo had never beaten Germany before in his career - he has played Germany five times, losing all five but he was the difference maker in the semi-final. The main battle of the game will definitely be between the teenage sensation Yamal and footballing phenomenon Ronaldo.


The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
Carlos Alcaraz saves three match points to beat Sinner in epic French Open final
As he faced up to the excruciating reality of trailing three championship points against the best player in the world, Carlos Alcaraz started his service preparation from the Court Philippe-Chatrier baseline with a deep, long breath. For most other players in the history of tennis, there was no reason to believe in any outcome other than defeat. In his short time competing in the biggest matches of his sport, however, Alcaraz has made it clear that he is different to anyone who has ever come before him, both in the way he approaches his tennis and the unwavering belief that underpins his success. From the depths of hell, Alcaraz recovered and pulled off one of the greatest comebacks in the history of the sport in an otherworldly confrontation, spectacularly toppling the world No 1 Jannik Sinner 4-6, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (10-2) after five hours and 29 minutes to defend his French Open title in Paris. Even before this moment, the greatest in his career so far, Alcaraz has built a reputation for maintaining his self-belief even when facing desperate deficits. He had already saved a significant match point against Sinner, pulling off an unforgettable recovery at 3am in their 2022 US Open quarter-final match en route to his first major title. His five-set escape against Novak Djokovic in the 2023 Wimbledon final was an instant classic. None of that compares to the madness that unfolded here in the final match of the tournament. Still just 22, Alcaraz is the third-youngest man in history to win five grand slam titles, following in the footsteps of Björn Borg and Rafael Nadal. As the eighth man in the open era to successfully defend a Roland Garros title, he completes an incredible clay-court season where he has compiled a 19-0 record at big tournaments, winning Masters 1000 titles in Monte Carlo, Rome before this phenomenal victory in Paris. It only took the longest French Open final in the open era for him to achieve this. After years of hype and expectation surrounding the rivalry between Alcaraz and Sinner, this occasion signified their long-awaited first grand slam final as they have established themselves as the two leading players in the sport. At the beginning of a new era in men's tennis, they have set the bar in the stratosphere. Before the final, Sinner had been the best performer in the draw, rolling through all opponents to reach the semi-finals before overcoming the 24-time grand slam winner Novak Djokovic in three bruising sets. He was 47-2 against players since August, but Alcaraz was responsible for those two defeats. Despite how hard Alcaraz tried, he could not halt Sinner's momentum as the Italian established a two-set lead. Still, he kept on going. Throughout the third set, he repeatedly called on the crowd to carry him through. He retrieved the break and rolled to a 5-2 lead, his level rising and his mind clearing. As he closed out the set with a break for 6-4 to keep his hopes alive, Alcaraz cupped his ears to the crowd and let their adoration wash over him. Sinner quickly reestablished control in the fourth set, marching to a 5-3 lead and reaching triple championship point on Alcaraz's serve. One point from the end of his reign at Roland Garros, with seemingly the entire audience urging him on, the moment drew the Spaniard's unwavering focus. He played every single shot with discipline and care, methodically eradicating the match points before slamming the door shut with a searing forehand winner. Then he met the moment with a supreme return game as Sinner's first serve and legs faltered. In the blink of an eye, Alcaraz had swung the match from 3-5, 0-40, to 6-5. As Alcaraz walked back to his chair at the change of ends, he pumped his fists to the sky. Despite Sinner pulling himself together to force a tie-break, Alcaraz refused to allow his opponent to regain any momentum. His strong serving set the tone early and he unleashed his forehand whenever the opportunity presented it. As the tie-break endured and the frenzied crowd spurred Alcaraz on, Sinner gradually lost both his head and his legs as Alcaraz forced a fifth set. Sign up to The Recap The best of our sports journalism from the past seven days and a heads-up on the weekend's action after newsletter promotion In just his second tournament back after his three month-doping ban, Sinner's physical condition was always uncertain. By the start of the final set, he had faded physically and he immediately lost his serve. But he kept on going. Sinner made Alcaraz work for every service game and as Alcaraz stepped up to serve for the match himself, Sinner spectacularly broke back for 5-5. With everything on the line after well over five hours on court, both men spent the final stages swinging as freely as they could, leaving nothing to doubt. Up 6-5 in the fifth, Sinner placed Alcaraz under relentless pressure in a lengthy deuce game, again moving to within two points of victory. But Alcaraz weathered the storm yet again, finding a backhand passing-shot winner to hold serve before marching through the championship tie-break to an astounding victory that further bolsters his status as one of the most special young talents this sport has ever seen.