Without victory in the Nations League
(France-Croatia 0–1 / Denmark-Austria 2–0) They put the superduo Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappé on top, but France were lowered by Croatia captain Luka Modric. The world champion is parked at the bottom of the Nations League group.
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After seven straight, the French opened the Nations League with a loss for Denmark at home despite scoring by Benzema. After a 1-1 draw against Croatia, a late equalizer from Mbappé saved 1-1 against Austria on Friday.
– Breathless, writes the sports newspaper L’Equipe after the wallpaper and thinks the tips were a big part of the problem:
– The attackers Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappé seemed to lack power.
Already after three minutes, the French world champions got into trouble against the team they beat in the World Cup final four years ago.
France stopper Ibrahima Konaté was on the heel of Croatia striker Ante Budimir. After a VAR check, it was clear for Modric from the penalty spot.
Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan has saved 11 of 39 penalties as a club player, but only got his hands on the finish for the 36-year-old from Real Madrid, who this season won the club’s 14th victory in the Champions League alongside Benzema.
Modric could cheer for his 22nd goal in 152 internationals for Croatia.
At the break, Didier Deschamps threw in both Aurélien Tchouameni and Benjamin Pavard at the Stade de France. France pressed on, but clearly not to create the big chances.
In fact, it was France goalkeeper Maignan who had to pull up a good save from Croatia substitute Lovro Majer. 10 minutes before the end, Antoine Griezmann was also thrown in.
France were close in the last minute of overtime, but again had to see themselves beaten at home.
Denmark lost 0-1 to the Croatians in the Park on Friday, but got back on the horse against Austria. Jonas Wind gave Denmark the lead in the middle of the first half and then assisted Andreas Olsen’s 2-0 scoring.
Christian Eriksen was spared from the start, but came in a quarter of an hour before the end to resounding applause in Copenhagen. He was close to ending up on the scoring list, but the shot ended up in the bar.
Thus, Denmark leads the Nation League pool after the four June matches. Croatia is behind.
In Iceland, the home team had the chance to go to the top of its group. Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson and Thorir Johann Helgason gave the Icelanders the lead twice against Israel in Reykjavik. But an own goal and Daniel Gretarsson and an equalizer from Dor Peretz fa 2-2. Thus, Israel tops the group which only consists of three teams after Russia was denied participation in the Nations League.