Les Bleus Ride Their Luck Before Super Subs Seal Third-Place Finish
Kylian Mbappe cemented his place in French football folklore while Michael Olise delivered a late knockout blow as France survived a German onslaught to claim a 2-0 Nations League third-place victory.
Didier Deschamps’ side weathered a first-half storm in Leipzig, with Mike Maignan producing crucial saves and Lucas Digne making a goal-line clearance to deny Niclas Füllkrug. The hosts thought they’d broken through when Karim Adeyemi won a penalty, only for VAR to overturn the decision and book the Dortmund winger for diving.
The momentum shifted dramatically in first-half stoppage time when Mbappe – collecting Aurélien Tchouaméni’s raking pass – cut inside and rifled home his 50th international goal from an improbable angle past Marc-André ter Stegen. The strike made him just the fourth Frenchman to reach the half-century milestone.
Germany continued to press after the break, with substitute Deniz Undav having a goal chalked off by VAR before France’s substitutes took control. Crystal Palace star Olise put the game beyond doubt in the 84th minute, finishing coolly after being teed up by Mbappe to cap an impressive cameo.
“We showed the mentality of champions today,” Deschamps told reporters post-match. “When you survive moments like we did early on, then take your chances, that’s what separates good teams from great ones.”
The victory provides consolation for France after their semifinal disappointment, while leaving Germany to rue missed opportunities in Julian Nagelsmann’s final match before Euro 2024. All eyes now turn to tonight’s final where Portugal and Spain will battle for Nations League supremacy.
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