Latest news with #FranceVsGermany
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mbappé sends France past Germany to claim Nations League bronze
France's forward #10 Kylian Mbappe (L) and Germany's defender #03 Robin Koch vie for the ball during the UEFA Nations League third place play-off football match between Germany and France in Stuttgart, southwestern Germany on 8 June, 2025. Kylian Mbappé bagged a goal and an assist as France beat Germany 2-0 in the Nations League bronze-medal match in Stuttgart on Sunday. Germany dominated the opening half but Mbappé provided the breakthrough just before half-time, carving a shot through a crowded penalty box to bring up his 50th goal in France colours. Advertisement Late in the second, with the hosts desperately looking for an equaliser, Mbappé snatched a poor Germany pass on the half-way line and rampaged forward, before setting up Michael Olise. The French showed their incredible depth, while Mbappé again demonstrated his finishing and pace. For Germany, who lost two straight straight matches for the first time since 2023, questions remain over how much they have truly improved under Julian Nagelsmann. In the lead-up to Sunday's encounter, France coach Didier Deschamps admitted the Nations League clash with old rivals Germany "isn't the most important game for us," with a clear focus on next year's World Cup. Advertisement Deschamps made eight changes from the semi-final loss to Spain, with only captain Mbappé, goalie Mike Maignan and midfield veteran Adrien Rabiot keeping their starting spots. Nagelsmann also rotated heavily, making four changes including bringing striker Niclas Fuellkrug back into the starting XI. Lightning-fast forwards The Germans had a wealth of chances in the opening half. Karim Adeyemi won a penalty but it was overturned by VAR for diving with. Florian Wirtz hit the post. (with AFP) Read more on RFI English Read also: Kylian machine: Mbappé fires Madrid's Champions League rout of Manchester City Mbappé will emerge stronger at Real Madrid, says Didier Drogba Mbappé and Kolo Muani sparkle as Deschamps hails Zidane as likely France coach
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
France predicted XI v Germany: Rayan Cherki to start, Ibrahima Konaté dropped
France take on Germany this Sunday at 3pm CET in Stuttgart for the UEFA Nations League third-place playoff. Both Les Bleus and Die Mannschaft want to finish on a high after respectively losing to Spain and Portugal. France manager Didier Deschamps has many injuries to deal with. PSG strikers Ousmane Dembélé and Bradley Barcola have pulled out of the squad, whereas centre-back Clément Lenglet is also out. With so few players available, Deschamps is expected to field an experimental defense again in front of Mike Maignan. Liverpool centre-back Ibrahima Konaté trained on his own yesterday, so it will be a surprise to see him starting. Pierre Kalulu, who had a nightmare debut outing against La Roja, is not expected to start either. In these conditions, Sevilla's Loïc Badé and PSG's Lucas Hernandez should compose France's duo at the back. On the flanks, Chelsea's Malo Gusto will start opposite Aston Villa's Lucas Digne. Advertisement Fortunately for Deschamps, Real Madrid midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni is available for selection. According to L'Equipe, the former Monaco man will start alongside Marseille's Adrien Rabiot in a double pivot. Further up the field, Rayan Cherki is set to be given his first senior start in a No. 10 role after a brilliant cameo off the bench against Spain. Up front, Deschamps is set to stick with Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappé as a centre-forward. On the wings, the France manager is set to field two centre-forwards in Inter's Marcus Thuram and Juventus' Randal Kolo Muani, which leaves Désiré Doué and Michael Olise as back-ups. France likely line-up v Germany Mike Maignan; Malo Gusto, Loïc Badé, Lucas Hernandez, Lucas Digne; Aurélien Tchouaméni, Rayan Cherki, Adrien Rabiot; Randal Kolo Muani, Kylian Mbappé, Marcus Thuram. (L'Éq) GFFN | Bastien Cheval
