France nationwide group gamers congratulate Randal Kolo Muani after his aim in opposition to Belgium within the UEFA Nations League match in Brussels, Belgium on October 14, 2024
| Photograph Credit score: Reuters
France and Germany had stand-in forwards to thank for wins over fierce rivals within the Nations League on Monday.
With Kylian Mbappé once more absent, Randal Kolo Muani began up entrance for France and scored in every half in a 2-1 victory away to neighbour Belgium.
The Belgians should be sick of the sight of Kolo Muani, who additionally netted in a 2-0 win within the reverse fixture in Lyon final month. It was additionally the Paris Saint-Germain striker’s shot that deflected into the web when France beat Belgium 1-0 within the final 16 on the European Championship through the summer season.
On his debut for Germany, Jamie Leweling had a second-minute strike dominated out after a video evaluate however had extra luck with a rasping drive within the sixty fourth to seal a 1-0 conquer the Netherlands in Munich.
Leweling, a ahead for Stuttgart, was one in all 4 gamers making their first begins for Germany on an evening followers paid tribute to 4 gamers — Toni Kroos, Manuel Neuer, Thomas Muller and Ilkay Gundogan — who lately retired from national-team responsibility. Neuer, Muller and Gundogan have been at Allianz Area to obtain the acclaim of Germany followers.
There have been additionally victories for Italy, which beat Israel 4-1, and Hungary, a 2-0 winner in Bosnia, within the top-tier League A.
With two group video games remaining in November, France, Italy and Germany all stand on the verge of clinching a top-two end and spots within the quarterfinals.
France was pressured to hold on to protect its third win in 4 group matches after Aurélien Tchouaméni, its captain within the absence of Mbappé, was proven a second yellow card within the 76th for tripping Belgium midfielder Youri Tielemans.
Tielemans had earlier lifted a penalty kick over the bar within the twenty third, just for Kolo Muani to transform his personal spot kick after Wout Faes was penalized for handball after falling to the bottom making an attempt to problem Bradley Barcola.
Loïs Openda headed within the equalizer from Timothy Castagne’s cross, with the aim initially dominated out for offside however awarded after VAR verify.
Kolo Muani, who has began solely two video games for PSG this season, grabbed the winner within the 62nd in Brussels by heading in Lucas Digne’s left-wing cross.
It felt like a brand new period for Germany, with Neuer, Muller and Gundogan all given a fond farewell earlier than the sport. Along with Kroos, who wasn’t there in particular person as a result of commitments at his youth academy, the 4 gamers gained greater than 450 caps for Germany.
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann is bringing by way of youthful gamers, with Aleksandar Pavlovic, 20, and Angelo Stiller, 23, handed first begins and the 23-year-old Leweling making his debut instead of the injured Deniz Undav. On the different finish of the age scale, goalkeeper Oliver Baumann turned the third oldest debutant for Germany — at 34 years, 134 days — having been on the bench 26 instances.
Baumann produced an excellent flying save to disclaim Netherlands substitute Donyell Malen and maintain a clear sheet, guaranteeing the Oranje’s 13-match unbeaten streak within the group stage of the Nations League got here to an finish.
Germany is on 10 factors from 4 video games, 5 greater than each the Dutch and Hungary.
Stringent safety measures, together with armed army personnel on the roof of the 25,000-seater stadium in Udine, have been in place as Italy hosted an Israel group taking part in its first match outdoors impartial Hungary this yr. It got here amid Israel’s ongoing battle within the Center East which has unfold to Lebanon after greater than a year-long struggle with Hamas in Gaza.
Mateo Retegui — from the penalty spot — scored the opener for Italy, which had additional targets by Giovanni Di Lorenzo (2) and Davide Frattesi in addition to a debut for Daniel Maldini, the son of AC Milan nice Paolo Maldini.
Round 1,000 individuals took half in a pro-Palestine demonstration within the metropolis middle earlier than the match. Areas across the stadium have been blocked off 48 hours earlier than kickoff and declared a “purple zone,” whereas lots of of additional cops have been known as up from surrounding areas.
Italy is in the identical group as France and leads by one level. Belgium is third, 5 factors behind France, whereas Israel has misplaced all 4 video games.
Revealed – October 15, 2024 10:57 am IST
