Nations League: Kylian Mbappe rescues draw for France vs Austria

Kylian Mbappe got here off the bench to rescue some extent for France in a 1-1 draw at Austria within the Nations League, however the defending champion sits in final place with simply two factors from three group video games.

World Cup winner France is underneath strain forward of Monday evening’s must-win residence recreation towards Croatia, which received 1-0 at Denmark because of Mario Pasalic’s close-range effort halfway by way of the second half.

The Danes prime Group 1 with six factors, whereas Austria and Croatia have 4.

“We didn’t win, we’ll take this point and try to win on Monday,” Mbappe stated. “You should never be anxious, you should just try to improve.” Mbappe, who has recovered from a blow to his knee, latched onto a go from fellow substitute Christopher Nkunku to dash clear and curl a left-footed shot into the highest nook within the 83rd minute for his twenty seventh worldwide objective on the age of simply 23.

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Four minutes later, Mbappe hit the crossbar after combining with Karim Benzema and Nkunku. France completed strongly with midfielder Matteo Guendouzi having an injury-time effort saved by goalkeeper Patrick Pentz.

“We had so many chances in the second half. We had the control of the game but we weren’t efficient enough,” coach Didier Deschamps stated.

“These aren’t the results we expected. But obviously we’re not in our best form.” France appeared fragile within the first half, and fell behind when striker Andreas Weimann put former Manchester United interim coach Ralf Rangnick’s facet forward within the thirty seventh minute.

Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate made his France debut within the heart of protection. But he was far too static on Austria’s objective, as Marko Arnautovic despatched Konrad Laimer skipping on the overlap down the proper and his cross was swept in by Weimann.

Karim Benzema, who scored minutes into his worldwide debut towards Austria in 2007, earlier had a close-range header beautifully saved by Pentz.

Pentz then stored out Benzema’s roller and a shot from Benjamin Pavard as Les Bleus hit again.

Mbappe got here on within the 63rd for the ineffective Antoine Griezmann, who has not scored for Atletico Madrid or France since early January.

Only the group winners make it to the Final Four, whereas the last-placed groups can be relegated. The group winners within the decrease leagues will achieve promotion.

In the second-tier League B, Manor Solomon scored twice within the second half as Israel rallied to win 2-1 in Albania to guide Group 2.

Armando Broja’s penalty gave the Albanians the lead in first-half damage time, however Shakhtar Donetsk winger Solomon replied with an excellent run and shot from the left flank. He clipped the winner in from shut vary after a cross got here in from the proper.

In League C, Kazakhstan drew 1-1 in Belarus and leads Group 3 by one level forward of Slovakia. Winger Vladimir Weiss scored Slovakia’s late winner in a 1-0 win at Azerbaijan In League D, Group 1 chief Latvia has 9 factors after successful 4-2 at second-place Moldova for its third straight win.