Goals and review of exciting Nations League tie between France and the Netherlands, World Cup Champions successful on homecoming

International Football
Posted by

This evening’s Nations League encounter between France and the Netherlands proved to be a fitting endorsement of the newly-formed UEFA Nations League competition.

France went into halftime with a 1-0 lead thanks to a goal from golden-boy Kylian Mbappe but it was the second half of the closely contested encounter that provided fireworks and stole the show.

See More: Video: Kylian Mbappe gets the scoring started for France against Netherlands in Nations League encounter

Netherlands forward Ryan Babel seemed to turn back the clock with his equaliser against France in the 67th minute, in what was first competitive goal for the Netherlands in over 13 years.

31-year-old Babel didn’t hint at his reactions slowing down at all by getting in front of World Cup sensation Benjamin Pavard and producing a great instinctive finish to equalise against the World Champions.

Check out the goal below:

To Babel’s dismay Netherlands’ found themselves picking the ball out of their net only 7 minutes after Babel’s goal when Frenchman Olivier Giroud scored a stunning volley to restore France’s lead.

Benjamin Mendy provided a trademark thunderous cross into the box and Giroud got in front of Liverpool superstar Virgil van Dijk and volleyed into the back of the net.

Van Dijk should have marked the dangerous frontman much more tighter and his momentary lapse in concentration may prove to be costly as Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands side could have easily walked away from the Stade De France with a point.

Check out Giroud’s goal below:

Giroud’s goal cemented him into the history book alongside some French footballing legends.

Lineups:

France: (4-2-3-1)

Areola, Pavard, Varane, Umtiti, Hernandez, Kante, Pogba, Mbappe, Griezmann, Matuidi, Giroud.

Subs: Mendy (on for Hernandez 62′), N’zonzi (on for Griezmann 81′), Dembélé (on for Giroud 89′)

Star man: Kylian Mbappe

Netherlands: (4-3-3/3-4-3)

Cillessen, Tete, de Ligt, van Dijk, Blind, Propper, Wijnaldum, Frenkie De Jong, Promes, Memphis Depay, Babel.

Subs: Vormer (on for Promes 76′), Janmaat (on for Tete 82′), Luuk De Jong (on for Babel 88′)

Star man: Frenkie De Jong

France were deserved 2-1 winners this evening in what was their first match back on home turf since lifting the World Cup trophy this summer in Russia.

More Stories Kylian Mbappe Olivier Giroud ryan babel