- Nations League: France Beat Hosts Germany 2–0 to Seal Third Place.
- VAR drama denies Germany penalty and disallows equaliser.
- France claim third-place Nations League medal in Stuttgart clash.
Kylian Mbappé led France to a third-place finish in the 2024–2025 UEFA Nations League with a 2–0 victory over host nation Germany at the MHPArena in Stuttgart on Saturday.
Despite the often overlooked nature of a third-place playoff, both sides played with intent. Germany launched five early attempts on goal within six minutes, with Nick Woltemade and Karim Adeyemi testing France’s goalkeeper Mike Maignan. Lucas Digne also made a vital block to deny Niclas Füllkrug.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that
France absorbed the pressure and gradually gained control. Loïc Badé forced Marc-André ter Stegen into a spectacular save with a powerful header. In the 30th minute, referee Ivan Kružliak awarded Germany a penalty after Adeyemi went down in the box, but a VAR review reversed the decision, booking Adeyemi for simulation.
Florian Wirtz struck the post and Woltemade missed another chance before France opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time. Aurélien Tchouaméni found Mbappé with a perfect cross, which the forward controlled and calmly converted to make it 1–0.
Germany’s Deniz Undav appeared to have equalised in the 53rd minute, but VAR ruled out the goal due to a foul by Füllkrug in the build-up. France pressed on with counterattacks, and after several near misses, Mbappé raced clear in the 84th minute and squared for substitute Michael Olise to tap in the second goal.
France now adds a bronze medal to their 2020–2021 Nations League triumph, while Germany ends the tournament without silverware.
