Germany vs France AS IT HAPPENED, UEFA Nations League 3rd Place Match: France secured a 2-0 win over Germany in Stuttgart to finish third in the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League. Despite Germany dominating large spells of the match, it was Kylian Mbappe who broke the deadlock just before half-time with a brilliant right-footed curler-his 50th goal for France.
The hosts created numerous chances throughout, but were denied by some outstanding saves from Mike Maignan and the woodwork. VAR overturned a German equaliser early in the second half, citing a foul in the build-up. Moments later, France nearly doubled their lead with close chances from Cherki and Thuram.

Ter Stegen kept Germany in the contest with multiple top saves, including one to deny Mbappe's volley. But in the 83rd minute, a German defensive error allowed Mbappe through on goal, and he selflessly squared it for Michael Olise to tap home and seal the win.
France's clinical presence of mind and solid defending earned them a deserved victory, while Germany were left ruing missed chances and disallowed goals.
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It's full-time here in Stuttgart and France emerge as the 3rd best team in 2024-25 UEFA Nations League. Join us in 4 hours time as we being you the live coverage of the UEFA Nations League Final between Spain and Portugal.FT: GER 0-2 FRA (Mbappe, Olise)
6 minutes have been added on for stoppages!
GOAAL!! France double their lead and Olise surely has won the game for Les Blues now! The German defense made a complete mess by making Mbappe through on goal and the Real Madrid star from the 1v1 situation passed it onto his teammate for an easy tap-in. GER 0-1 FRA (83rd Min)
What a side volley from Kylian Mbappe!!! It was going in! Ter Stegen valiantly dived towards his right to deny a certain chance!! GER 0-1 FRA (79th Min)
The Barcelona man stretched out with all his might to deny Marcus Thuram a certain goal! The curler almost found the back of the net!! Ter Stegen keeps Germany in the game. GER 0-1 FRA (71st Min)
A total of 24 shots have been taken today in the match in an attempt towards goals and 15 of them came off German players. 5 have been on target, but they are yet to score a goal. They did find the back of the net but the foul cancelled out the goal. GER 0-1 FRA (69th Min)
Looks like Theo Hernandez and Jonathan Tah are in no mood of taking non-sense as things turn out ugly as both pull their jerseys. The refree and the other players had to intervene to stop the confrontation. Both get final warning as another yellow will mean marching orders. GER 0-1 FRA (62nd Min)
Right after VAR denied the Germans, a second scoring opportunity, France come up with two separate chances to increase the lead! First it was Ryan Cherki from a tight angle but it went just wide off goal. Then it was Marcus Thuram, who's right-footed curler agonizingly rattled the post!! Lucky Germany! GER 0-1 FRA (58th Min)
GOAAL!! Germany have equalised! It's Stuttgart's own man Deniz Undav have brought the game back to level terms! Adrien Rabiot made a complete mess of it as he loses the ball just outside the box following a tussel to lay it on a dish for Undav to go all the way. But wait, it's time for a VAR check and it shows there was a FOUL on Rabiot!! The referee waves it off! NO GOAL for Germany!! GER 0-1 FRA (55th Min)
We are back for the second-half and Kylian Mbappe had a glorious chance to make it 2-0, but his shot hits the side-netting!! The kind of chances he had today, he could've got his hattrick by now! GER 0-1 FRA (46th Min)
It's half-time and France go into the break with a half-time lead! Clearly the Germans were the better side but France took their chance made it count! HT: GER 0-1 FRA (Mbappe)
It looked like that both the teams will head into the break with a goallles score-line, but Mbappe had other ideas. After receving the ball from inside the box, he cuts inside to create some space and with the right-footed curler gets the opening goal of the match!!! This is the French captain's 50th goal for his nation! GER 0-1 FRA (Mbappe 44th Min)
The Germans keep on pushing for the opening goal and now from a delightful ball from the left flank, German forward Woltemade's volleyed attempt was expertly thwarted away Maignon!! Germany clearly has been the better side in the first-half. GER 0-0 FRA (43rd Min)
Another chance missed now and it comes from the other end!! Kylian Mbappe only had Ter Stegen to beat, but the Real Madrid star failed keep his footing, eventually slipped to put the ball wide off target. This could easily been 1-1 now! GER 0-0 FRA (38th Min)
The Germans pulled off a nice fluid move but the shot from inside the box hit's the post, before the second attempt was called off-side! This should've been 1-0 by now! GER 0-0 FRA (35th Min)
No Penalty! After a thorough check from the VAR, the referee waves it off and issues a yellow card to Adeyemi for diving! GER 0-0 FRA (33rd Min)
Maignan fouls Adeyemi inside the box and it's a penalty for Germany!! Big chance to take the lead!
Germany get back to back chances to have a crack a goal. First it was Florian Wirtz's free-kick from 27 yards, followed by a volleyed attempt from Karim Adeyemi from inside the box. GER 0-0 FRA (25th Min)
France are yet to have a shot on target as they look to break the German defence. Rayan Cherki has been promising so far. GER 0-0 FRA (21st Min)
The Germans are dominating possesion and have put the Frenchmen in the back foot. France need to come up with a better strategy to get the ball forward, otherwise the Germans will run away with the match. GER 0-0 FRA (12th Min)
The match is underway and Germany pushing men forward to score the opening!! Maignan within the opening minutes has already pulled off a huge save to deny a certain goal! GER 0-0 FRA (2nd Min)
Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola, and Clement Lenglet are all ruled out for France's clash with Germany. After a strong cameo against Spain, Rayan Cherki is pushing for a starting spot, while coach Didier Deschamps may rotate the squad, considering Lucas Hernandez and Randal Kolo Muani for the lineup.
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann plans a few changes for Sunday's third-place match. Niclas Fullkrug may replace Nick Woltemade up front, while Pascal Gross could strengthen midfield defensively. Robin Gosens and Serge Gnabry are also contenders as Nagelsmann aims to refresh the team after their semifinal defeat.
As Germany and France gear up for a crucial Nations League clash, both teams are evenly matched. Germany's home advantage and goal difference give them a slight edge, but France's strong away form and attack balance it out. Considering recent form and tactics, a draw with goals from both sides seems the most likely outcome, keeping the group race tight. France as of now have the edge.
In their last meeting, Germany defeated France 2-0. In the past five clashes, both teams have two wins each and one draw, showing a balanced rivalry. Recently, Germany has two wins, two draws, and one loss, while France has two wins, one draw, and two losses. Their defeats to Portugal and Spain highlight some weaknesses but also the tough competition they face.
France enters the match with four wins, one draw, and one loss, scoring 12 goals and conceding six. They have been perfect on the road, winning all three away games. Coach Didier Deschamps favors a balanced style, combining solid defense with fast counterattacks. Despite a recent 5-4 loss to Spain, France's ability to score four goals against a strong team highlights their attacking threat.
Germany leads Group 1 with 14 points, just ahead of France's 13, making their upcoming match crucial for a spot in the Nations League Finals. Germany has a strong record with four wins, two draws, and a +14 goal difference. Despite a recent loss to Portugal, they remain unbeaten at home this season. Under coach Julian Nagelsmann, Germany uses high pressing and quick attacks, blending youth and experience, and averages three goals per game, showcasing their attacking strength.
FRA XI: Maginan, Gusto, Bade, Hernandez, Digne, Tchouameni, Rabiot, Kolo Muani, Cherki, Thuram, Mbappe
GER XI: Ter Stegen, Kimmich, Tah, Koch, Raum, Gross, Goretzka, Woltemade, Wirtz, Adeyemi, Fullkrug
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the UEFA Nations League 3rd place match between Germany and France!
Germany, playing on home turf, suffered a narrow 2-1 loss to Portugal. Cristiano Ronaldo's late goal proved decisive, denying the hosts a place in the final and leaving Die Mannschaft disappointed after a performance that lacked cohesion and sharpness. Despite the setback, Germany will look to use their home advantage to bounce back and end their campaign positively.
France, on the other hand, endured a rollercoaster semifinal against reigning champions Spain in a high-scoring thriller. After conceding four goals within the first 30 minutes, Les Bleus staged a remarkable comeback, scoring four themselves to level the match.
However, Spain managed to edge out a 5-4 victory in what was one of the most dramatic games of the tournament. The French squad now aims to recover from this heart-breaking loss and finish their Nations League journey on a strong note.
Sunday's match may not carry the same stakes as the final, but it presents both teams with a valuable chance to showcase their depth and regain some momentum. Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann hinted at some changes to the lineup, with several squad players expected to get an opportunity to impress.
Niclas Fullkrug could replace Nick Woltemade in attack, while Pascal Gross might come in to bolster the midfield defensively. Additionally, Robin Gosens and Serge Gnabry are competing for starting spots as Nagelsmann seeks to refresh the team.
France will be without Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola, who have withdrawn from the squad, as well as centre-back Clement Lenglet, sidelined due to a hip problem. Young forward Rayan Cherki impressed as a substitute against Spain and is pushing for a starting role. Manager Didier Deschamps may rotate the squad, with Lucas Hernandez and Randal Kolo Muani among the players likely to be considered.
While the third-place match lacks the glory of the final, both Germany and France will be eager to finish the tournament with a win and build confidence for upcoming challenges.