Nations League: Netherlands’ 2-0 victory over France leaves Germany relegated

Memphis Depay scored from a late Panenka penalty after Georginio Wijnaldum had given Netherlands the lead as the Dutch team that had failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup beat champions France 2-0 in a Group A1 UEFA Nations League match. The defeat relegates Germany into the second tier.

World champions in 2014, Germany had shockingly crashed out of the World Cup from the group stages and after a draw at home to France, Die Mannschaft has suffered consecutive defeats to be relegated.

The draw put the Dutch second in the group behind France and a draw against Germany can help them top the group and help them qualify for next year’s Nations League finals at the expense of France, who only needed a point to seal the top spot. They will now need Germany to win the last group game to qualify for the tournament finals.

Netherlands dominated the proceedings right from the start but nearly fell behind when Benjamin Pavard hit a stunning volley which was somehow tipped over the bar. Wijnaldum came the closest to scoring for the home team but his header went above target. He, however, did get on the scoresheet a minute before half-time.

Steven Nzonzi’s misjudged header from a Frenkie de Jong cross fell kindly for Ryan Babel, whose shot was saved by France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris but Wijnaldum was at hand to open the scoring.

The Dutch continued their dominance and could have scored multiple goals had Lloris not kept out Depay, Babel and Wijnaldum in the minutes that followed. Depay came the closest among them but his free-kick was parried away by the Tottenham goalkeeper before he also kept out the Lyon forward’s shot from a cleverly taken corner.

A depleted France playing without Paul Pogba, Anthony Martial, Benjamin Mendy, Thomas Lemar, and Lucas Hernandez found it difficult to create chances. Coach Didier Deschamps also seemed to have made few errs with his team selection and substitutions, most of which were defensive minded.

Depay, on the other, was the Dutch team’s biggest threat and forced three more saves from Lloris. But after Moussa Sissoko was adjudged to have pushed De Jong inside the penalty box, referee Anthony Taylor pointed to the spot from which the 24-year-old poked the ball above Lloris to complete the victory.

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