The French national football team has regained the chance to reach the quarter-finals of the Nations League. Three days after the 1:3 defeat in the opening match against Italy, the European Championship semi-finalist and runner-up won 2:0 (1:0) against Belgium on the second match day.
Substitute Mbappé fails twice
In Lyon, former Frankfurt player Kolo Muani (29th minute) put the hosts in the lead, Ousmane Dembélé – formerly of Borussia Dortmund – scored the final goal after 57 minutes. Kylian Mbappé was only substituted in the 67th minute. The star striker failed twice in promising positions (73rd and 77th). The German referee Tobias Stieler initially overlooked a handball by Kevin De Bruyne (12th) when he made a save against France striker Kolo Muani.
Italy with second victory
Due to the Belgians’ defeat, the Italian national team is now alone at the top after their 2-1 (1-0) victory against Israel with the maximum number of points. A weak opening phase in Budapest almost proved fatal for the 2021 European champions in the 31st minute through Israel’s Manor Solomon, who missed the 1-0 lead.
Head coach Luciano Spalletti’s previously discouraged Squadra Azzurra took the lead seven minutes later through Davide Frattesi with a chest shot. Moise Kean (62′) increased the lead to 2-0 after Israel had an equaliser. Israel only managed to pull one back through Mohammad Abu Fani (90′).
Sesko and Haaland as match winners
Slovenia has taken the lead in Group 3 of League B. Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko was the match winner in the 3-0 (2-0) victory against Kazakhstan with his goals in the 23rd, 28th and 63rd minutes.
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Due to the worse goal difference, Norway is in second place after their 2-1 (1-1) victory against Austria. Felix Horn Myhre put the hosts in the lead in Oslo (9th minute). Austria’s captain Marcel Sabitzer equalized (37th minute) before Erling Haaland secured the win in the 80th minute. The striker’s goal was initially disallowed for offside, but was then counted after a video review.
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