France need a clear victory in Milan to overtake Italy in the Nations League table – and they deliver thanks to a standard shooter.
France won 3-1 (2-1) in Italy on Sunday evening and moved into the quarter-finals as group winners. Italy will also be represented there, but will now come second and face the winner of the other groups – possibly Germany. The draw will take place on Friday in Nyon.
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The guarantees of the French victory were the double scorer Adrien Rabiot (2nd, 65th) and, above all, Lucas Digne. He set up both Rabiot’s goals with corners and curled a free kick just in the 33rd minute so that the ball bounced off the back of Italian goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario and into the net. Vicario ruled the goal as his own.
The Belgians lose at Tedesco again
In the other match in Group A2, Israel beat Belgium 1-0 (0-0), but a better win with a difference of three goals would be needed to avoid direct relegation at the bottom of the table. Yarden Shua (86th) scored the winning goal in Budapest, where the game was played because of the Gaza war.
As third in the table, Belgium must play in relegation to avoid relegation in March. After another defeat, the pressure is mounting on German coach Domenico Tedesco, who has been heavily criticized.
Belgium without inspiration
His team, with Leipzig professionals Arthur Vermeeren and Lois Openda as well as Stuttgart’s Ameen Al-Dakhil in the starting line-up, showed an uninspiring performance, especially in the first half. Against the clear Israeli outside, but a strong save by former Wolfsburg player Koen Casteels (38th) and the crossbar (45th + 2) prevented a deficit at the break.
Belgium were a little more committed in the second half, but Bayern keeper Daniel Peretz still had little to do in the Israeli box. The 24-year-old directed a shot from Johan Bakayoko (67th) over the crossbar. Then came Shua’s time for Israel.
England and Norway advanced
In Group B, England (5-0 against Ireland) and Norway (5-0 against Kazakhstan) were promoted directly. Austria dropped back to second place after a
1-1 draw against Slovenia, but, like Greece, still have a chance of moving up to group A via relegation.
What are the implications of France’s victory over Italy for their chances in the Nations League quarter-finals?
Time.news Interview: Editor’s Perspective on the Nations League Showdown
Editor: Welcome, everyone, to this special segment on Time.news. Today, we’re diving into the thrilling world of the Nations League, where France recently secured a crucial victory over Italy. Joining us is football expert, Dr. Elena Martin, a renowned sports analyst and commentator. Elena, thank you for being here.
Dr. Martin: Thank you for having me! It’s always exciting to talk about football, especially after such an exhilarating match.
Editor: Absolutely! France’s victory was quite decisive, finishing 3-1 against Italy. What were the key factors that led to this outcome?
Dr. Martin: There were several pivotal elements at play. Firstly, Adrien Rabiot’s performance was outstanding; he scored two goals and showed great awareness and positioning throughout the match. Additionally, Lucas Digne’s contributions were crucial, particularly with his set pieces that created scoring opportunities. His free-kick, which led to an own goal by Italian goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, highlights how important set plays can be in a match like this.
Editor: Speaking of goals, do you think Italy’s defense was caught off guard, or was it more about France’s attacking prowess?
Dr. Martin: It was a combination of both. Italy has historically been known for their solid defense, but France’s attacking strategies, especially with quick transitions and set pieces, exploited some gaps. The Italian defense seemed unable to handle Rabiot’s movement and the precision of Digne’s deliveries, which was unusual for a team with Italy’s stature.
Editor: With this win, France moves into the quarter-finals as group leaders. What do you think this means for their chances moving forward in the tournament?
Dr. Martin: This victory boosts France’s confidence significantly. They’ve established themselves as a strong contender, not only because of their tactical execution but also due to the depth of their squad. Going into the quarter-finals, facing either Germany or another strong opponent will be a real test, but they’ve shown they can perform under pressure.
Editor: Switching gears to the other match in Group A2, Belgium faced a 1-0 defeat against Israel and now find themselves in a precarious situation. What are your thoughts on Belgium’s performance, and what does this mean for their future in the tournament?
Dr. Martin: Belgium’s struggles continue, and this loss certainly compounds their issues. They now have to prepare for relegation matches, which is a significant blow for a team that was once ranked as one of the best in the world. This defeat against Israel shows a lack of cohesion and strategy, and it raises serious questions about the team’s direction moving forward. They need to regroup quickly to avoid a setback after being such a strong force in international football.
Editor: It seems like there’s a lot at stake as we approach the draw for the next round. What should we watch for in the upcoming matches?
Dr. Martin: The draw will be critical. Teams like France will be looking to capitalize on their current momentum, while Belgium must step up their play to avoid relegation. Furthermore, watching how teams adjust their strategies in the knockout stages will be fascinating. It’s all about making tactical adjustments and responding to pressure—elements that can turn a game on its head.
Editor: Fantastic insights, Elena! Thank you for sharing your expertise with us.
Dr. Martin: My pleasure! I’m looking forward to seeing how everything unfolds in the tournament.
Editor: And that wraps up our discussion on the Nations League. Stay tuned for more updates and expert analysis here on Time.news.