FRANCE rescued a late point in a 1-1 draw with Austria in the UEFA Nations League.
Andreas Weimann scored the opener for Ralf Rangnick’s side but it was star-boy Kylian Mbappe who scored to nab a vital point for Les Bleus late on.
- RESULT: France 1-1 Austria
- Austria XI: Pentz, Trauner, Seiwald, Arnautovic, Alaba, Sabitzer, Weimann, Wober, Laimer, Lainer, Schlager
- France XI: Lloris, Pavard, Saliba, Konate, Hernandez, Kamara, Tchouameni, Diaby, Griezmann, Coman, Benzema
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Tough task ahead for champions
At the halfway stage, France find themselves four points behind table toppers Denmark.
With only three games to play, Les Bleus will no doubt need to win all of their games to stand any chance of progressing.
Denmark are in the driving seat to eliminate the defending champions.
Benzema unable to find Madrid form
You could never question the talents of a player such as Karim Benzema.
The Madrid striker has had a season that has led many to talking about him as a sure thing for the Balon D’or.
Despite the fantastic season he enjoyed, he was unable to have that same effect on this French team today.
The World Cup in Qatar probably offers itself as the talisman’s last chance to have a crack at the trophy.
Credit: AFP Rangnick finds his form with Austria
Since beginning his stint as head coach of Austria, Das Team have blossomed.
Their only defeat being a harsh one against Denmark, despite having an abundance of chances.
The UEFA Nations League is a competition they can focus on having not qualified for the World Cup in Qatar.
Blessed with talent, reliant on Mbappe
France have household names in all areas of the pitch.
This game was a mismatch in terms of the squads available to their managers.
Aside from all the options Deschamps seems to have, they always seem to rely on the explosive Kylian Mbappe to get them out of trouble.
Les Bleus needing to up the ante
For all the talent this French squad is blessed with, it seems more and more that teams are finding ways to get results against them.
When it comes to the World Cup in Qatar, these kind of tactics could result in Didier Deschamps side being on an early flight to Paris.
The coach must be under pressure to put a good showing to defend their crown.
FT: Austria 1-1 France
The referee brings the game to an end.
A great performance by Ralf Rangnick’s side although the ex-Man Utd manager will feel they could have won it.
Didier Deschamps’ side have yet to win a game in this campaign.
Austria 1-1 France
90+3. The ball is drifted over the top and Benzema tries to take it down and get a shot away.
The keeper comes out to collect the ball.
Mbappe was in great space had Benzema seen him.
Austria 1-1 France
90+1. We are in the first minute of four additional minutes.
A corner comes in and Guendouzi gets a flick at the near post.
Somehow Pentz manages to claw the ball out of the goal.
The Austrian keeper has to be their man of the match today if they manage to hold onto a draw.
Austria 1-1 France
89. Rare break forward for the hosts.
They don’t really manage to create anything of any note.
France counter attack with their pace and Danso brings Nkunku down on the edge of the box in a wide position.
Credit: AFP
Austria 1-1 France
87. This will no doubt be defence versus attack for the remainder of the game.
Mbappe gets the ball and weaves his way passed the Austrian defence.
He finds himself with a sight of goal and his shot is deflected by the goalkeeper onto the crossbar.
Great save by the Austrian keeper.
Austria 1-1 France
85. That goal will hurt Austria.
They conceded a late goal in their last game at home which cost them with a defeat
It is important now that they focus on finishing this game with a point at the very least.
Austria 1-1 France
83. Great assist by Nkunku as he fed Mbappe.
The weight of the pass was brilliant, the French striker taking it into his path and going through on goal.
He smashes the ball into the roof of the net, no chance for the keeper.
Goal – Kylian Mbappe (France)
Austria 1-0 France
80. Into the final stages of the game now.
France have had some dramatic games in this Nations League campaign.
Game management is key now for Ralf Rangnick’s side.
Austria 1-0 France
78. Coman comes off for Nkunku.
Gregoritsch does well on the halfway line holding the ball up and manages to draw a foul from Benzema.
Any opportunity to run the clock down now for the hosts, gives them a chance to get over that finishing line.
Credit: Getty
Austria 1-0 France
76. Lloris comes charging out to cut out a ball over the top.
France turn defence into attack again and put Austria on the back foot.
Although the ball is coming straight back at Austria, they will just be happy to clear their lines with their one goal advantage.
Austria 1-0 France
74. France really have dominated this game since the break.
It will worry the French fans that they have been unable to break Austria down despite their dominance.
Counter attacks are now being played at a slow pace by Austria as they look to spend some time in French territory to run the clock down.
Austria 1-0 France
72. France have been knocking on the door here all half.
Deschamps will not be happy that they have not managed to find a way through this Austrian defensive line.
Time is starting to run out for the champions.
Austria 1-0 France
70. Austria have a rare counter-attack.
They cannot breach the French defence.
France immediately break with pace as Mbappe tears forward.
Austria 1-0 France
68. Bad news for the home side.
Alaba drops to the ground signalling to the bench that he needs to come off.
Rangnick needs to replace his centre half here.
Danso comes on to replace him.
Credit: AFP Austria 1-0 France
66. Benzema and Mbappe scored 84 goals between them in the domestic season that has just passed.
All Les Bleus need to do is to find a single goal to equalise.
Austria are not known for their ability to keep clean sheets at home.
Austria 1-0 France
64. France are turning the screw at the moment.
Probing their opponents looking to find a breakthrough.
France win their third consecutive corner.
Austria 1-0 France
62. Griezmann is brought off for Mbappe.
Tchouameni comes off for Guendouzi.
Looks like Austria are going to make some changes too.
Austria 1-0 France
60. It looks as though Kylian Mbappe’s warm up routine is finished.
Possibly the worst thing the Austrian defence could see.
Meanwhile Arnautovic has a half chance on the counter attack but cannot take advantage.
Austria 1-0 France
58. France seem to be playing a more direct style in this half.
But while the hosts keep them out, they hold the advantage.
Rangnick’s side have not really offered much going forward so far in this half.
Credit: AFP
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
