Kylian Mbappe led France to a 2-0 victory against Germany in Stuttgart, securing the bronze medal in the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League. The French captain scored a milestone goal just before halftime and later provided an assist to seal the win.
"France" wasted no time establishing dominance on German soil, with Mbappe continuing his impressive international form. The striker found the net in the 45th minute, adding another memorable goal to his growing collection for the national team.
Michael Olise doubled the advantage in the 84th minute, converting from Mbappe's assist to put the game beyond reach. The Germans, despite home advantage, couldn't find a response to the clinical finishing of their opponents.
"We played our game and took our chances when they came," a French player might have said after the match. "Getting a medal in this competition means a lot to us."
Interestingly, the match lineups showed some tactical choices from both managers. Toni Kroos was absent from the German squad, while France opted for Maignan in goal instead of regular starter Lloris.
The "German" team featuring ter Stegen, Kimmich, and Wirtz created chances but failed to convert. Their attack, led by Füllkrug, couldn't break through the solid French defense marshaled by Lucas Hernandez.
By the way, this bronze medal match precedes today's final. Spain will face Italy in the gold medal match scheduled for 22:00 Kyiv time.
Can France build on this performance in future competitions? This victory certainly shows they remain a formidable force in European football.
