Nations League holders France misplaced 2-0 to Denmark of their closing Group A sport however salvaged their place within the high tier on the finish of a dismal marketing campaign on Sunday.
Didier Deschamps’ aspect, who will face Denmark within the World Cup in November, completed third within the Nations League standings with 5 factors from six video games after Kasper Dolberg and Andreas Skov Olsen scored first-half objectives for the hosts. Austria have been relegated to League B after a 3-1 defeat at residence to Croatia left them backside of the group on 4 factors.
Croatia certified for the ultimate 4 with 13 factors, one forward of Denmark, who burst into life in opposition to France after being dominated within the first 20 minutes. World champions France, who had a number of first-choice gamers out injured together with Paul Pogba, Karim Benzema and Hugo Lloris, have been a far cry from their finest and Deschamps might be crossing fingers that each one have recovered for the event in Qatar.
“We had a lot of chances, but we were not aggressive enough and made several technical mistakes,” Deschamps stated. “We had a young team and they don’t have the experience of a high level. Tonight was a reality check. I’m not worried for the World Cup because we’ll get most of our injured players back in time. We don’t however think we’re stronger than the others and we know it’s going to be a big fight.”
Croatia, who wanted victory to guarantee high spot, went forward via Luka Modric however have been pegged again three minutes later. The factors have been sealed when Marko Livaja headed residence on the again submit after a cross from Ivan Perisic, earlier than Dejan Lovren was left free by the house defenders to attain with a header from Lovro Majer’s cross.
Captain Virgil van Dijk netted a second-half winner because the Netherlands beat Belgium 1-0 on Sunday to make sure high spot of their Nations League group and a spot in subsequent yr’s finals event. Van Dijk powered residence a header from a nook within the 73rd minute on the Amsterdam Arena to make sure the Dutch completed runaway winners in League A Group Four.
They completed with 16 factors, six greater than Belgium who had an opportunity to leapfrog their neighbours, and take first place, however wanted to win by three objectives or extra on Sunday to take action.
In Group C1, the Faroe Islands shocked Turkey with a 2-1 residence win, though Turkey will nonetheless be promoted to League B as group winners, with the Faroes in third place.
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