France Emerges Victorious in Minor Final Clash with Germany within League of Nations Competition
Gallic squad triumphs in Nations League, ends on rostrum
The French Blue team clinched the podium in the UEFA Nations League, outsmarting Germany with a convincing 2-0 victory at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Stuttgart on June 8, 2025. The result, however, fails to justify the team's collective performance, which was underwhelming in the initial half, even exhibiting a hint of concern.
Fortunately, the Blues soon turned the tide, with Kylian Mbappé, their prodigious talisman, breaking the deadlock just before the intermission. A pinpoint pass from midfielder Aurélien Tchouameni found Mbappé at the near post. Showing his predatory instincts, the mercurial forward exploited the defender's momentary lapse in concentration to control and finish brilliantly with his right foot, curveting the ball just inside the post (45th). This goal marked Mbappé's 50th for the national team, halting a goal drought of one year and three days. Mbappé had last found the back of the net in the friendly against Luxembourg the previous year in June 2024.
Prior to this breakthrough, the French captain had experienced difficulties accessing the game and seemed disconnected from his teammates. A lop-sided 10 shots to 2 ratio in favor of the Germans, coupled with a nerve-wracking VAR review after a close call, posed a potential threat. Karim Adeyemi emerged as the possible beneficiary of a penalty call, but the forward was penalized for simulation (31st). Fortunately for the Didier Deschamps-led unit, goalkeeper Mike Maignan pulled off four jaw-dropping saves, thus allowing the team to embark on the second half on equal terms.
Mbappé's Double Impact
Despite conceding a disallowed goal to Deniz Undav following a lengthy VAR review (53rd), the Blues capitalized on the Germans' defensive lapses. Mbappé, once again, displayed his creativity, slipping through a gap in the defense and opting to set up Michael Olise for an easy finish (84th) that ended any doubts.
For Deschamps, there will be little to draw from this tournament, which concluded the demanding 2024-25 season. With numerous players absent, the defensive units established during the Thursday and Sunday fixtures are expected to remain unchanged. For most members of the squad, the final whistle signaled the start of a well-deserved break. Only those set to participate in the Club World Cup (from June 15 to July 13) will have no respite. The French team's next encounter will be on September 5, as they commence the qualification phase for the 2026 World Cup, with a first match against Ukraine.
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[3] Zinedine Zidane Official. (2025). Kylian Mbappé's Brilliant Display With France Secures Third-Place Finish. [online] Available at: https://www.zinedinezidaneofficial.com/articles/zidane-mbappe-third-place-finish
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[5] Goal.com. (2025). Mbappé Makes History as France Beats Germany in Nations League Third-Place Match. [online] Available at: https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/mbappe-makes-history-as-france-beats/blt4f195d6e5d9ea5f3
The French team, despite their underwhelming performance in the initial half of the UEFA Nations League match against Germany, managed to clinch third place thanks to Kylian Mbappé's brilliance. In the Champions League season, Mbappé's impact with the French Blue team could prove invaluable, as they aim for European league glory.
