Germany were relegated from Group A1 of the Nations League after the Netherlands earned a surprise 2-0 win over France. Goals from Georginio Wijnaldum and Memphis Depay crowned a dominant display from the Dutch in Rotterdam which in turn ended the world champions’ 15-game unbeaten run.
Friday’s result leaves Joachim Löw’s winless Germany rooted to the bottom of the table and heading to League B. And the Netherlands will have the chance to qualify for the finals of the competition ahead of France when they complete the group stage against the Germans in Gelsenkirchen on Monday. Victory would see Ronald Koeman’s men top the group, while a draw would also be sufficient because of their superior goal difference.
The Dutch fully merited their victory at De Kuip and below-par France, without the injured Paul Pogba, would have lost by more had it not been for the display of their goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. Wijnaldum opened the scoring in the 44th minute, before Depay dinked in a penalty deep into added time.
The Netherlands, who failed to qualify for the last two major tournaments, have been rejuvenated under Koeman and full of confidence from last month’s 3-0 success against Germany, they had an excellent opportunity to go ahead inside two minutes. Depay burst past France left-back Lucas Digne on the right before cutting the ball back for the unmarked Wijnaldum to strike a powerful first-time shot which was beaten away by Lloris.
The hosts controlled the opening period, although France threatened during a rare foray forward when Antoine Griezmann’s header from a Digne cross bounced off the surface before being held by Jasper Cillessen.
Les Bleus, who needed a point to ensure top spot in the group, seemed content to sit back and they were grateful for Depay’s 13th-minute volley was straight at Lloris.
The Dutch deservedly edged ahead a minute before half-time following a mistake by Steven N’Zonzi. The midfielder inadvertently helped Frenkie de Jong’s cross on to Ryan Babel and, after his close-range effort was repelled by the legs of Lloris, Wijnaldum reacted quickest to the rebound.
France produced little response to going behind and could have been reduced to 10 men when Everton defender Digne was booked for a late, studs-up challenge on Denzel Dumfries. The PSV Eindhoven right-back was then twice denied by Lloris following Daley Blind’s cross as the hosts went in search of a second.
The Dutch, led by Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk, defended resolutely and never looked like surrendering their lead as they beat France for the first time since Euro 2008. They eventually made the points safe in the fifth minute of added time when Depay cheekily chipped in from the spot after France substitute Moussa Sissoko brought down De Jong in the box.
Ukraine, who have already secured top spot in Group B1, suffered a 4-1 defeat in Slovakia.
Albert Rusnak, Juraj Kucka, Adam Zrelak and Robert Mak boosted Slovakia’s hopes of avoiding relegation, with Yevhen Konoplyanka’s strike merely a consolation for Ukraine.
Norway and Bulgaria are locked on 10 points before the final Group C3 fixtures after respective 1-1 draws in Slovenia and Cyprus.
Gibraltar took the lead against Armenia but eventually succumbed to a 6-2 loss in Group D4, where FYR Macedonia remain top after defeating Liechtenstein 2-0.
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