(France-Croatia 0-1/Denmark-Austria 2-0) They put the superb duo Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappe in front, but France was reduced by Croatia captain Luka Modric. The world champion stands at the bottom of the Nations League group.
After seven consecutive victories, the French opened the Nations League with Denmark losing at home despite Benzema’s scoring. After a 1-1 draw with Croatia, Mbappe saved the 1-1 draw against Austria on Friday.
– Breathless, sports newspaper L’Equipe wrote after the loss and believed the attackers were a big part of the problem:
– Attackers Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappe seemed to lack strength.
Already after three minutes, the French world champion had a problem against the team that had defeated him in the World Cup final four years ago.
France star Ibrahima Konate stood in the heels of Croatian striker Ante Bodemir. After checking the VAR, Modric’s penalty kick was apparent.
AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Minan saved 11 from 39 penalties as a club player, but only finished off the 36-year-old from Real Madrid, who this season won the club’s 14th Champions League win alongside Benzema.
Modric can cheer with his 22nd goal in 152 caps for Croatia.
In the break, Didier Deschamps threw Aurélien Tchouameni and Benjamin Pavard at the Stade de France. France pressed, but failed to create the big opportunities.
In fact, it was France goalkeeper Mainin who saved well from Croatian substitute Lovro Mager. 10 minutes before the end, Antoine Griezmann was also thrown.
France were close in the last minute of extra time, but once again they had to see themselves defeated at home.
Denmark lost 0-1 to the Croats in the park on Friday but got back on the horse against Austria. Jonas Wind gave Denmark the lead midway through the first half and then helped Andreas Olsen score 2-0.
Christian Eriksen survived from the start, but came a quarter of an hour before the end to thunderous applause in Copenhagen. He was about to end up on the scoring list, but the shot ended up in the bar.
Thus, Denmark tops the Nation League group after the four June matches. Croatia is two points behind.
In Iceland, the home team got the chance to rise to the top of their group. John Dagor Thorstensson and Thorer Johan Helgason twice gave the Icelanders the lead against Israel in Reykjavik. But an own goal and Daniel Gretarsson and a draw in the role of Peretz get 2-2. Thus, Israel tops the group, which consists of only three teams, after Russia refused to participate in the League of Nations.
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