Griezmann Hits Brace As France Earn Comeback Win Over Grmany
By Nigel Phillips
Antoinne Griezmann scored a brace as France came from behind to beat Germany 2-1 in the UEFA Nations League at the Stade de France on Tuesday.
The 2018 World Cup champions fell to Toni Kroos’ first-half goal from the spot kick, but turned the game on its head in the second half with Griezmann drawing parity in the 62nd minute and fetching the winner with an 80th-minute spot kick.
Didier Deschamps’ Les Blues are unbeaten in Group A and top the chart with seven points from three games, while Joachim Low’s Die Mannschaft are rooted at the bottom of the group with just a point in as many games.
France went into the game after drawing 2-2 in a friendly with Iceland at home while Germany also lost to the Netherlands 3-0 in their second game of the Nations League.
The win offers France a needed redemption, but piles more pressure on Joachim Low, whose side are still struggling to get on winning ways before and after their first-round exit from the World Cup.
Presnel Kimpembe handled the ball in the 14th minute, but was surprised when referee Milorad Mazic whistled for a penalty. Tony Kroos converted the kick into the bottom right corner despite Hugo Lloris getting a hand to it.
Hugo Lloris took turns to save Timo Werner and Matthias Ginter goal-bound shots in the 19th and 24th minutes respectively before Olivier Giroud closed the first half by hitting Lucas’ nice pass over the bar from the penalty box.
Kylian Mbappe came close to scoring in the 52nd minute, but directed his shot straight at Manuel Neuer, ten minutes before Antoine Griezmann drew parity for the hosts.
Griezmann found space in the box and from close range powered an unstoppable header into the right of the goal after a cheeky lofted pass from Lucas.
Serge Gnabry had a good opportunity to restore Germany’s lead in the 67th minute when he received a clever pass and shot from mid-range but sailed straight into Hugo Lloris’ hands.
Mats Hummels tackled a bit over-zealously inside the penalty box in the 79th minute, and Milorad Mazic blew for a penalty which Antoine Griezmann converted into the right side of the goal.
