Ralf Rangnick and the Austrian national soccer team narrowly missed out on a win against world champions France in the Nations League. Both teams drew 1:1 (1:0) in Vienna’s Ernst Happel Stadium.
After the first three games under new coach Rangnick, Austria is second in Group 1 with four points, while France is only fourth with two points. First is Denmark despite a 0-1 (0-0) against the Croatians.
In the first meeting between Austria and France in more than twelve years, Andreas Weimann scored the opening goal for the hosts in the 37th minute.
After a strong first half, the Austrians came under more and more pressure in the second half. After Mbappé’s substitution in the 63rd minute, the French pushed for the equalizer, which the 23-year-old finally scored on the assist of Leipzig’s Christopher Nkunku. The ÖFB selection had previously caused problems for the world champion with Rangnick’s pressing football. But Weimann’s goal after a nice counterattack via ex-Bremer Marko Arnautovic did not succeed.
France is vehemently pushing for an equalizer – Pentz is strong
The attack by the French brought Superstar in the 83rd minute Kylian Mbappe at least the balance. Rangnick had to do without Hoffenheim’s Stefan Posch for the duel with the French. He had suffered a bruise and a muscular injury in the pelvic area in the previous game against Denmark. After 37 minutes it was Weimann who, after a nice combination, passed Marko Arnautovic and Konrad Laimer to lead the hosts.
In the second round, the guests came out of the dressing room with a lot of speed. Mbappé, who came on as a substitute in the 63rd minute, equalized just before the end and even had the winning goal on his feet, but goalkeeper Patrick Pentz held on to the tie.
Croatia stops Denmark’s run
In Copenhagen, Mario Pasalic (69th) scored the goal of the evening for the Croatians after a corner. The hosts were initially the more active team in the sold-out Parken Stadium. Croatia started with Bundesliga pros Andrej Kramaric (TSG Hoffenheim) and Kristijan Jakic (Eintracht Frankfurt) in the starting XI.
The guests only got stronger after the change of sides, when superstar Luka Modric and Josip Stanisic (Bayern Munich) were involved. Wolfsburg’s Jonas Wind came on for the home side from the 61st minute, Yussuf Poulsen (83rd) from RB Leipzig had to be patient until the final phase and was ailing and replaced again in the 90th minute. Robert Skov from TSG Hoffenheim came on for Poulsen.