France and Germany Triumph with Stand-in Forwards in Nations League

France and Germany Triumph with Stand-in Forwards in Nations League

France and Germany secured crucial victories in the UEFA Nations League on Monday, thanks to the contributions of stand-in forwards.

In Brussels, France overcame fierce rivals Belgium 2-1, with Randal Kolo Muani scoring both goals for the visitors. Kolo Muani, who has started only two games for Paris Saint-Germain this season, has now scored in all three of his appearances for France against Belgium.

Belgium, who have lost their last three matches against France, took the lead through Loïs Openda’s header in the 38th minute. However, Kolo Muani equalized just before halftime, heading in Lucas Digne’s cross.

The Paris Saint-Germain striker then grabbed the winner in the 62nd minute, capitalizing on a defensive error to slot home from close range. France held on to their lead despite being reduced to 10 men after Aurélien Tchouaméni was sent off for a second yellow card in the 76th minute.

In Munich, Germany defeated the Netherlands 1-0, with Jamie Leweling scoring the only goal of the game in the 64th minute. Leweling, who was making his debut for Germany, fired a powerful drive into the bottom corner from outside the box.

The victory was a welcome boost for Germany, who have been struggling for form in recent months. It was also a fitting farewell for four players who recently retired from international duty: Toni Kroos, Manuel Neuer, Thomas Muller, and Ilkay Gundogan.

Italy and Hungary also recorded victories in the Nations League on Monday. Italy defeated Israel 4-1 in Udine, with Mateo Retegui, Giovanni Di Lorenzo (2), and Davide Frattesi getting on the scoresheet. Hungary, meanwhile, beat Bosnia 2-0 in Sarajevo, with Dominik Szoboszlai and Martin Adam scoring the goals.

With two group games remaining in November, France, Italy, and Germany are all on the verge of clinching a top-two finish and spots in the quarterfinals.

Mbappe Omitted from France Squad for Nations League Matches

Mbappe Omitted from France Squad for Nations League Matches

France’s star forward Kylian Mbappe has been omitted from the squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against Israel and Belgium. The decision was made by coach Didier Deschamps to allow Mbappe to rest and recover from a minor thigh injury.

Mbappe recently returned to action for Real Madrid after a brief spell on the sidelines. He made a substitute appearance in the Champions League match against Lille, but the team suffered a surprising 1-0 defeat.

Deschamps explained his decision to leave Mbappe out of the squad, stating that he had spoken to the player and determined that it was not a serious injury. However, he emphasized that he would not take any risks with Mbappe’s fitness.

“I am not going to take risks, which is why he is not in the squad,” Deschamps said.

France will face Israel in an away fixture on October 10, which has been moved to Budapest due to security concerns in the Middle East. They will then travel to Brussels to take on Belgium on October 14.

The absence of Mbappe is a significant blow to France’s hopes of success in the Nations League. The team has three points after their first two outings in Group A2, which is topped by Italy with six points.

Deschamps also announced the retirement of vice-captain Antoine Griezmann from international football earlier this week. Griezmann, who has won 137 caps for France, made the decision at the age of 33.

“He had such an impact that we can’t play in the same way,” Deschamps said of losing Griezmann. “I am not necessarily going to change the system, but I am not going to look for an equivalent player.”

Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku, who has not played for France since June last year, has been recalled to the squad. However, midfielder N’Golo Kante has also been left out.

France Bounce Back with 2-0 Victory over Belgium in UEFA Nations League

France Bounce Back with 2-0 Victory over Belgium in UEFA Nations League

France redeemed themselves with a 2-0 victory over Belgium in the UEFA Nations League on Monday, following their disappointing loss to Italy. Despite fielding a weakened team, Les Bleus showcased their resilience and determination.

Randal Kolo Muani opened the scoring just before halftime, capitalizing on a mishit shot from Ousmane Dembele. Dembele then sealed the victory in the 57th minute with a stunning individual effort, dribbling past defenders before unleashing a powerful shot.

Coach Didier Deschamps expressed relief at his team’s response after their poor performance against Italy. “I am happy with our reaction,” he said. “We faced a strong Belgium side, but we showed our quality.”

The victory was a welcome boost for France, who had endured a difficult Euro 2024 campaign. They will now look to build on this momentum in their upcoming matches.

Belgium, captained by Kevin De Bruyne, struggled to find an equalizer despite creating several chances. The defeat leaves them with three points in Group A2, behind Italy and France.

The next round of matches will take place in October, with Italy facing Belgium in Rome and Israel meeting France on neutral territory in Budapest.

USA Women's Basketball Wins Eighth Consecutive Olympic Gold

USA Women’s Basketball Wins Eighth Consecutive Olympic Gold

The United States women’s basketball team extended their unprecedented dominance at the Olympics, capturing their eighth consecutive gold medal with a thrilling 67-66 victory over France in the final of the Paris Games. This triumph marked their 10th overall Olympic title, solidifying their status as the undisputed queens of the sport.

A’ja Wilson led the American charge with a game-high 21 points, while Kelsey Plum and Breanna Stewart also made significant contributions. France, buoyed by their home crowd, put up a valiant fight, with Gabby Williams scoring 18 points and Marine Fauthoux adding 15.

The first quarter was a low-scoring affair, with France struggling to find their rhythm and the US holding a slim 15-9 lead. However, France rallied in the second period, tying the game at 20-20 and even taking a brief lead. The teams went into halftime deadlocked at 25-25.

France continued to impress in the third quarter, opening with a 10-point run to take a 35-25 advantage. The US responded with a surge of their own, led by Wilson and Plum, and regained the lead heading into the final period.

The fourth quarter was a tense battle, with both teams trading baskets. France came within one point of tying the game with just seconds remaining, but Williams’ potential game-tying three-pointer was ruled to have been released from behind the three-point line, resulting in a two-point shot.

Wilson and Plum sealed the victory for the US with free throws, giving them a 67-66 lead. Williams’ last-gasp three-pointer fell short, and the Americans erupted in celebration.

The US women’s basketball team’s victory was a testament to their unwavering determination and exceptional talent. They faced a tough challenge from France, but their experience and resilience proved too much to overcome. This gold medal further cements their legacy as one of the greatest teams in Olympic history.

France and Spain to Battle for Olympic Football Gold in Paris

France and Spain to Battle for Olympic Football Gold in Paris

The stage is set for an enthralling clash between France and Spain in the Men’s Football Final of the Paris Olympics 2024. The match, scheduled for Friday, August 9, will witness the crowning of a new Olympic champion.

France, the host nation, will be eager to seize the opportunity to add football gold to their medal tally. Led by Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta, who has netted four goals in the tournament, the French team will be determined to make history on home soil.

Spain, on the other hand, will be aiming to improve upon their silver medal performance in Tokyo 2020. Barcelona’s Fermin Lopez, with four goals to his name, will be a key player for the Spanish side.

The match will take place at the iconic Parc des Princes in Paris, with kickoff scheduled for 9:30 PM IST. The encounter promises to be a thrilling spectacle, with both teams boasting talented players and a rich footballing tradition.

The France vs Spain Olympics 2024 Men’s Football Final will be a must-watch event for football enthusiasts worldwide. The match will be live telecast on the Sports18 network and live streamed on the JioCinema app.

USA Overcomes 17-Point Deficit to Reach Olympic Basketball Final

USA Overcomes 17-Point Deficit to Reach Olympic Basketball Final

The United States men’s basketball team faced their toughest challenge yet in the Tokyo Olympics, overcoming a 17-point deficit to defeat Serbia 95-91 in a thrilling semifinal matchup. The victory keeps the Americans’ hopes alive for a fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal.

Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry led the charge for the United States, pouring in 36 points, including five three-pointers. LeBron James, the all-time NBA scoring leader, contributed a triple-double with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists.

Serbia, led by three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, gave the Americans a run for their money. Jokic finished with 17 points and 11 assists, while Bogdan Bogdanovic added 20 points.

The Serbians dominated the first half, leading by as many as 17 points in the second quarter. However, the United States chipped away at the deficit in the third quarter, thanks to back-to-back three-pointers from Curry and Jrue Holiday.

In the fourth quarter, Curry hit a crucial three-pointer to give the United States their first lead since the first quarter. James followed with a driving layup, and Curry added a steal and a basket to push the lead to five.

Serbia fought back, but the United States held on for the victory.

In the other semifinal, France defeated reigning World Cup champions Germany 73-69. Guerschon Yabusele led France’s scoring with 17 points, while Isaia Cordinier added 16. NBA rookie of the year Victor Wembanyama contributed 11 points and seven rebounds.

Dennis Schroder scored 18 points for Germany, but Wagner was the only other player in double figures.

France will face the United States in the gold medal game on Saturday, a rematch of the Tokyo Olympics final.

France-Argentina Olympic Clash: Tensions High After Racist Chants

France-Argentina Olympic Clash: Tensions High After Racist Chants

The upcoming quarter-final clash between France and Argentina in the men’s Olympic football tournament promises to be a fiery encounter, fueled by recent tensions between the two nations. The last-eight showdown will be the first meeting since Argentina players were recorded singing racist chants about their French counterparts after winning the Copa America. FIFA is investigating the incident, which has sparked diplomatic tensions.

The match will also be the first between the sides since the epic 2022 World Cup final, which Argentina won on penalties. However, the Olympic tournament is an under-23 competition, with only two members of Argentina’s squad (Nicolas Otamendi and Julian Alvarez) having played in the World Cup final.

Despite the absence of some key players, the match is expected to be a fascinating contest. Argentina, chasing a third Olympic gold, will be led by Manchester City’s Alvarez, while France, aiming for gold on home soil, will be captained by Alexandre Lacazette and feature Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise.

Both teams boast legendary coaches: France’s Thierry Henry, a 1998 World Cup winner, and Argentina’s Javier Mascherano, an Olympic gold medalist as a player. The winner will face either Egypt or Paraguay in the semi-finals.

The quarter-finals will also feature Morocco vs. the United States in Paris and Spain vs. Japan in Lyon. Spain, fresh from winning Euro 2024, will be aiming for their second Olympic gold after 1992. Japan, despite fielding a young squad, has impressed by winning all three group games.

Florian Wirtz Scores Record-Breaking Goal as Germany Beats France

Florian Wirtz Scores Record-Breaking Goal as Germany Beats France

Florian Wirtz, the 20-year-old German prodigy, etched his name into international football history with a stunning goal that propelled Germany to a 2-0 victory over France in an international friendly on Saturday.

Just seven seconds after the opening whistle, Wirtz received the ball from Toni Kroos and unleashed a fierce drive that left French goalkeeper Brice Samba rooted to the spot. The ball flew under the crossbar, setting a new record for the fastest goal in German international history.

“I don’t think anyone understood or realized what was happening,” Wirtz said after the match. “We were all quite surprised, but there was obviously a lot of joy. You can’t start a match any better.”

Wirtz’s goal came close to equaling the record for the fastest international goal ever, which was set by Lukas Podolski in 2013. However, Christoph Baumgartner’s strike for Austria against Andorra earlier on Saturday had already set a new mark of six seconds.

Kai Havertz doubled Germany’s lead just four minutes into the second half, tapping in a pass from Jamal Musiala. France, despite fielding star striker Kylian Mbappe, struggled to create clear-cut chances and were unable to find a way back into the game.

Julian Nagelsmann’s Germany side looked the more dangerous throughout the match, with Maximilian Mittelstaedt and Thomas Mueller both denied by fine saves from Samba. France nearly pulled one back in the 88th minute when Mittelstaedt mistimed a clearance, but Antonio Rudiger cleared the ball off the line and VAR ruled the handball to be unintentional.

“We can obviously be very satisfied,” said Kroos. “We’ve taken some good steps forward, some important steps forward. These are the last few chances for us to get a bit of a feel for Euro 2024. We’ll take that with us today.”

Both teams will continue their preparations for this summer’s European Championship, with France facing Chile and Germany hosting the Netherlands on Tuesday.

France's Forward Power Demolishes Wales in Six Nations Clash

France’s Forward Power Demolishes Wales in Six Nations Clash

France’s dominant forward pack propelled them to a resounding 45-24 victory over Wales in the Six Nations on Sunday, keeping their hopes of a runners-up finish alive.

Fly-half Thomas Ramos contributed 20 points through his boot, while scrum-half Nolann Le Garrec impressed with his performance. France’s five tries to Wales’ three saw them move into third place in the tournament standings, level on points with Scotland.

The French bench played a crucial role in securing the victory, showcasing their depth and strength against a young and developing Wales team. Wales coach Warren Gatland acknowledged the impact of France’s replacements, stating that they “had a significant impact.”

France captain Gregory Alldritt praised his team’s forwards, emphasizing their physicality and impact in the collisions. He expressed confidence in their ability to challenge England in their upcoming match, which will determine the runners-up position behind Ireland.

France coach Fabien Galthie echoed Alldritt’s sentiments, highlighting the significance of the France-England rivalry and the importance of maintaining their intensity and tempo.

Despite their disappointing draw with Italy, Alldritt emphasized that the team responded well against Wales. He attributed their victory to their hard work and determination to make France proud.

Gatland remained optimistic despite Wales’ winless record in the tournament, emphasizing the importance of embracing the challenge and giving a strong performance at home against Italy. He acknowledged the pressure and expectation surrounding the match but expressed confidence in his young players’ ability to learn and improve.

Italy’s victory over Scotland has set up a thrilling finish to the Six Nations, with Wales facing a must-win game against the Azzurri to avoid finishing bottom. Gatland stressed the need for his team to step up and learn from their mistakes.

France's Six Nations Title Hopes Evaporate After Early Exit

France’s Six Nations Title Hopes Evaporate After Early Exit

France’s Six Nations title hopes have been extinguished after a disappointing start to the tournament. With three rounds played, the team has recorded a win, a draw, and a loss, marking the earliest exit from title contention under coach Fabien Galthié.

The team’s poor form has raised concerns, especially considering their strong performance at the Rugby World Cup just five months ago. Galthié has responded by making eight significant changes to the starting lineup for their upcoming match against Wales, including three debuts.

Among the changes, hooker Julien Marchand, locks Thibaud Flament and Emmanuel Meafou, captain Gregory Alldritt, scrumhalf Nolann Le Garrec, and wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey have been brought in. Thomas Ramos has switched to flyhalf, while Nicolas Depoortere and Léo Barré will make their test debuts in midfield and fullback, respectively.

Meafou’s inclusion has generated excitement among French fans. The 2.03-meter, 145-kilogram prop has been a key player for Toulouse, helping them win three Top 14s and the 2021 European Cup. He received French citizenship last November and has been training with the national team for nearly a year.

Meanwhile, Wales has also struggled in the Six Nations, losing 10 of their last 11 matches. They have made several changes to their lineup, including dropping experienced centers George North and Nick Tompkins in favor of Joe Roberts and Owen Watkin. Captain Dafydd Jenkins has also been moved to the blindside flank to accommodate Will Rowlands.

Despite their struggles, both teams are determined to secure a victory in their upcoming match. France will be looking to regain their form and prove that they are still a force to be reckoned with, while Wales will be desperate to avoid the wooden spoon.

Home
Shop
Wishlist0
Back to Top

Search For Products

Product has been added to your cart