Mbappe Rescues Struggling France In Nations League
11 June, 2022
Reigning champions France sit bottom of their UEFA Nations League group after drawing 1-1 with Austria on Friday night.
UEFA Nations League
Result: Austria 1-1 France
Date: 10 June 2022
Venue: Ernst-Happel-Stadion
Karim Benzema, Antonie Griezmann, Hugo Lloris and Kingsley Coman were among the seven changes from the draw with Croatia on Monday night.
It was a lively start from the home side as they looked to get behind the French defence, but the forward seemed a little too eager after the few offsides in the opening 10 minutes. The visitors nearly went ahead on 19 minutes after Patrick Pentz produced a double save to deny Griezmann and Benzema in quick succession.
The opening goal arrived on 37 minutes but went the way of the home side as Konrad Laimer's cross from the right found Andreas Weimann who made no mistake from close range.
Didier Deschamps' men looked to claw themselves back into the contest in the second half and went close through efforts from Benzema and most notably Coman, who fired over from eight yards out.
Austria were then a dealt a blow in the 69th minute, with star defender David Alaba picking up a knock. He was replaced by Kevin Danso just minutes after Kylian Mbappe replaced Griezmann.
Mbappe's introduction paid off as the visitors drew level with seven minutes left on the clock as the PSG star combined with Christopher Nkunku before rifling the ball past Pentz.
Mbappe nearly grabbed the winning goal four minutes later but his close-range strike was tipped onto the crossbar by Pentz, as the sides settled for a share of the spoils.
Source: www.soccerladuma.co.za