September 22, (THEWILL) – France defeated Austria 2-0 on Thursday, to earn their first Nations League victory of the year. Kylian Mbappe and Olivier Giroud, provided the goals for Les Bleus’ victory.
Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante were among the notable absentees for the French side coming into the international break, and the team frequently lacked movement, especially in the middle of the park, at the Stade de France.
But after 56 minutes, Mbappe stepped up to drive past multiple players and beat Patrick Pentz with a strike, while French striker, Giroud, added a goal to double the lead and help Didier Deschamps’ team hold on to the win.
In their next and final group game, France, who are last year’s champions, will have the chance to avoid being demoted from the Nations League, although they will not advance as Group A1 leaders after Croatia defeated Denmark.
France can exhale in relief before preparing for their trip to Denmark with their fate in their own hands. Their great escape is only half-done, but they have an excellent chance of pulling it off with free-scoring forwards like Mbappe and Giroud.
