Soccer world champions France are slowly finding their way two months before the start of the World Cup in Qatar. The weakened team of national coach Didier Deschamps won his Nations League game in St. Denis against Austria around team boss Ralf Rangnick 2-0 (0-0) on Thursday and can hope to stay in the A-League after the first win of the season .
Superstar Kylian Mbappé (56th) and Olivier Giroud (65th) shot the French to victory against the Austrians, where ex-Bremen Marko Arnautovic completed his 103rd international match and drew level with record player Andreas Herzog.
Previously, defending champions France had recorded two defeats and two draws at the start of the Nations League in June and thus already lost their chances of the final tournament in 2023.
In Group A1, the Equipe Tricolore (five points) now relegated Austria (four points) to last place. The decision about relegation will be made next Sunday when France travels to Denmark and the Austrians meet Vice World Champion Croatia, who defeated the Danes 2-1 in a direct duel.
VfB professional Borna Sosa (49′) and Lovro Majer (79′) scored for Croatia, while Christian Eriksen equalized for Denmark (77′).
Lewandowski and Co. are subject to Oranje
The Dutch national team is about to reach the finals. In Warsaw, Bond coach Louis van Gaal’s team won 2-0 (1-0) against Poland around world footballer Robert Lewandowski. In the final prestige duel against the neighbors from Belgium, Elftal on Sunday (8.45 p.m. / DAZN) is one point for the group win and the associated qualification for the final tournament.
Cody Gakpo (13th), who was courted by numerous top clubs in the summer, gave the guests the lead in the first round. Arkadiusz Milik missed the best chance for Poland’s equalizer in the 52nd minute, the Juventus striker firing over the goal from close range. Steven Bergwijn (60th) punished the missed shot a few minutes later with the 2-0.
Afterwards, the Dutch brought the result safely over time. Central defender Matthijs de Ligt from German record champions Bayern Munich did not play.
In the parallel game of group four, Belgium narrowly beat Wales 2-1. Kevin De Bruyne (10′) and Michy Batshuayi (37′) gave the favorites the lead, Kieffer Moore scored the final score shortly after the break (50′).