France have overturned a deficit to run out 2-1 winners over Germany in Tuesday's UEFA Nations League fixture.
Toni Kroos gave Germany an early lead from the penalty spot, but Antoine Griezmann equalised for France after the break with a brilliant header into the far corner.
France were awarded a spot kick of their own in the 78th minute, and Griezmann made no mistake to put the world champions on the verge of qualification for the final stage.
Find out how all of the action unfolded in Paris courtesy of Sports Mole's minute-by-minute updates below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the UEFA Nations League encounter between France and Germany. Neither side have produced their best form since the World Cup, but the result of this match could have ramifications for their progress in this competition
France have recorded four points from their two matches, with a goalless draw in Munich being followed by a narrow win over the Netherlands. It puts Les Bleus in a position where victory this evening would guarantee progress through to the final stages.
As for Germany, their heavy defeat to Netherlands on Saturday has left Joachim Low's side needing to emerge victorious from their last two fixtures to maintain a chance of topping the group. It's a tough ask!
Without further ado, let's take a look at the two starting lineups, beginning with the world champions...
FRANCE XI: Lloris; Pavard, Varane, Kimpembe, Hernandez; Kante, Pogba; Mbappe, Griezmann, Matuidi; Giroud
GERMANY XI: Neuer; Kehrer, Sule, Hummels, Schulz; Kimmich, Ginter, Kroos; Gnabry, Werner, Sane
Let's start with France as Didier Deschamps includes many of the players who played a significant role at the World Cup. The only player missing is Samuel Umtiti - who wasn't part of this squad due to injury - with Presnel Kimpembe taking the place of the Barcelona defender.
Deschamps opted to hand starts to Lucas Digne and Steven N'Zonzi for Thursday's friendly with Iceland, but Lucas Hernandez and N'Golo Kante have been brought back into the team at left-back and defensive midfield respectively.
Thomas Lemar and Dimitri Payet had been in contention to replace the injured Florian Thauvin, but Blaise Matuidi features on the left side of the midfield. The Juventus man can also be used more centrally, but Deschamps prefers the 31-year-old on the flank.
There are few surprises elsewhere in the attack with Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe and Olivier Giroud occupying the more advanced positions. Ousmane Dembele is among the replacements.
As for Germany, Joachim Low decides to hand a start to Leroy Sane having dropped the Manchester City winger from his World Cup squad. There is also a place in the team for Serge Gnabry.
It's unclear whether Low is going to use a 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 formation this evening but for now, we are going with the former. That could see Matthias Ginter used in the centre of midfield alongside Joshua Kimmich.
Jerome Boateng is out with an injury sustained at the weekend, leaving Niklas Sule to come into the centre of the backline. Nico Schulz has been brought in to replace Jonas Hector at left-back.
Paris Saint-Germain recently shelled out big money to sign Thilo Hehrer and the right-back has been given an international start in France's capital. It is the first time that the 22-year-old has began a senior game for his country.
This famous stadium will be full to capacity come kickoff...
🏟 @StadeFrance 🇫🇷🇩🇪#FRAGER #DieMannschaft pic.twitter.com/IpqMz64p8v — Germany (@DFB_Team_EN) October 16, 2018
France warmed up for this game by having to come from behind to gain a 2-2 draw against Iceland in a friendly. Deschamps didn't name his full-strength side, but it should have been strong enough to see off the visitors. Click here to read a match report on that game.
The performance led to Deschamps questioning the attitude of his players and naturally, a change has been demanded ahead of tonight's contest. Click here to read his thoughts.
Germany go into this match on the back of that heavy defeat to the Netherlands. The 2014 world champions have been in poor form but they were expected to gain at least a draw from that contest. Click here to read the match report from Saturday.
Timo Werner started the game in Amsterdam and was one of a number of players to fail to make an impact in the final third. Click here to see what the forward had to say on that match.
The manner of the defeat has led to Low having to assess the current mindset of his team, but the long-serving manager seems convinced that lessons have already been learned. Click here to view his thoughts on the setback.
KEY MAN! France's key man has to be Mbappe. We thought that even before the PSG attacker got the opportunity to go up against Schulz - who is making just his second appearance in a Germany shirt - but the 19-year-old already has 10 goals four assists from seven outings in Ligue 1 and the Champions League this season, and it would take a brave decision to bet against more contributions being made tonight.
KEY MAN! As for Germany, Toni Kroos has a huge role to play this evening. Low's starting lineup appears to lack a major goalscoring threat from the centre of the park, but it will be up to the Real Madrid man to take on the role of linking the defence and attack. Germany cannot afford to sit too deep tonight and Kroos will be needed to get Gnabry and Sane into the action.
Much was made of the young players being given opportunities for England, but France are a couple of years further down the line than the Three Lions. Only Mbappe is aged below 21 and all but three of the outfield players in the squad are 29 or below.
Germany are also in a similar position. Aside from Neuer, the squad are all aged between 22 and 29, suggesting that this side can peak at Euro 2020 or the 2022 World Cup.
PREDICTION! Germany have much more quality than their form suggests and are capable of winning this game, but France are a team in good form and with home advantage also behind them they appear to be the most likely to come away with all three points from Paris. France to win by a 2-1 scoreline.
HEAD TO HEAD! Tonight's meeting represents the 31st clash between the nations, with France registering 13 wins in comparison to 10 victories for Germany.
France have gone four games unbeaten, with two wins and two draws being recorded since Germany prevailed at the 2014 World Cup.
However, Germany do have recent success in France with goals from Thomas Muller and Sami Khedira securing a 2-1 triumph in February 2013.
It's time for the two teams to start making their way out in Paris. France struggled in front of their own supporters five days ago, and there will be a strong desire to put on a show tonight.
A reminder of the two starting lineups...
FRANCE XI: Lloris; Pavard, Varane, Kimpembe, Hernandez; Kante, Pogba; Mbappe, Griezmann, Matuidi; Giroud
GERMANY XI: Neuer; Kehrer, Sule, Hummels, Schulz; Kimmich, Ginter, Kroos; Gnabry, Werner, Sane
KICKOFF: Germany get us underway!
It looks like Germany are going with three at the back, with Kehrer and Schulz being used at wing-back. The visitors have been sloppy in possession over the first three minutes.
SHOT! The first shot of the game comes from Griezmann, but the France attacker send a 30-yard half-volley well wide of the target.
Sane is operating much more centrally than expected but the Manchester City man is able to get to the byline before getting a cross into the middle. However, the delivery is easily dealt with by the home side's defence.
We are still waiting for either goalkeeper to be worked but both sides are having success down the sides of the penalty area. France just hit Germany on the break but Mbappe was unable to find Giroud in the middle.
All things considered, this is a lively game but neither side are showing their full quality in the final third. Kante has just nearly put through his own net while intercepting a cross, but Lloris was there to clear.
The onus is on Germany to go on the attack this evening, but France cannot afford to sit too deep. That's arguably the case right now with Germany starting to build a head of steam.
PENALTY! Germany win a penalty! It's a debatable one with Kimpembe's arm getting in the way of Sane's cross. He couldn't have done much about it. The official behind the goal gave the decision.
GOAL! France 0-1 Germany (Toni Kroos)
Kroos just about gets the ball past Lloris. His low effort is a touch on the weak side, but Lloris can only divert the ball into the bottom left-hand corner.
It's all Germany now, who are getting their pacey players into threatening areas. Pogba has also been guilty of giving away possession on a couple of occasions.
Germany are making quite a few blatant fouls to prevent France from launching attacks. It surely won't be long before the referee gives out a yellow to make the visitors think twice about committing an offence.
It should be 2-0. Sane is sent clear of the defence and he attempts to play in Werner who is keeping pace with him. However, the pass is slightly over-hit and Lloris is able to get a hand on the ball before Werner taps home.
Pogba continues to struggle in this game. The Manchester United midfielder sent a 40-yard strike well wide of the target before being fortunate to avoid a yellow card for a late challenge on Kimmich.
CHANCE! How have Germany not scored a second in this game?! Another chance goes begging, with a corner eventually finding its way to Ginter whose volley is tipped away by Lloris. That came after Hummels had failed to find the far corner with a glancing header.
Are things getting that desperate for France? Mbappe goes down very easily inside the penalty area as Hummels see the ball out for a goal kick. No penalty given and rightly so.
France win a free kick on the left and the ball is only half-cleared to Pavard on the edge of the penalty area. However, the defender's volley is well blocked by a defender.
YELLOW CARD! The first booking of the game goes to Ginter, who cynically barges over Griezmann on the flank.
We are through the opening half hour and Germany deservedly hold a lead over the world champions. Low has tinkered with his system and so far, it is working a treat.
France are having the odd flurry forward, but they are yet to come to anything. Giroud's hold-up play has been fine, but he isn't being found in the penalty area.
Sane has been involved in everything and the Germany winger's eyes light up when he is given the chance to get a half-volley away from around 15 yards out. However, a France defender makes a superb block.
CHANCE! Another chance from a set piece for Germany. Kroos's outswinging corner finds Ginter, but the defender's free header goes wide of the target.
As we approach half time, Germany are making their hosts chase the ball. They look extremely comfortable and have rarely been threatened.
A bit better from France. Griezmann attempts to float a pass over the Germany defence and into the path of Mbappe, but the PSG forward can't get a touch on the ball at the back post.
France win a free kick around 30 yards out and Pogba gets two chances to try his luck because the first doesn't count due to an incident in the wall. However, both efforts fail to trouble Neuer.
CHANCE! Big chance for France. Hernandez storms down the left and reaches the byline before finding Giroud at the near post, but the Chelsea forward clears the crossbar from close range.
HALF TIME: France 0-1 Germany
The half-time whistle goes in Paris and Germany lead thanks to Kroos's early penalty. The visitors were fortunate to be given the spot kick but they are fully deserving of their slender advantage. France just haven't got going.
The goal came through Sane, who was able to surge into the penalty area before trying to cross the ball for a teammate. However, Kimpembe's arm got in the way as he slid in to block the delivery and the official behind the goal decided that it was deliberate handball. It was one of those which is left open to interpretation.
France have been second best, but Les Bleus could have gotten themselves level just before the break when Giroud missed the target from close range after good work from Hernandez. Mbappe and Griezmann have been lively without really threatening Neuer.
KICKOFF: France get us back underway.
The home side are trying to be assertive at the start of this second half, but Werner is almost played in on goal from a through-ball. Encouraging from both teams.
Germany are content with France having the ball in the centre of the park because they are slow in moving it from side to side, but they have to be careful not to be drawn into a false sense of security. It's almost too easy at time.
CHANCE! Mbappe gets clear of the Germany defence and he only has to poke the ball past Neuer. However, the goalkeeper gets out well to divert his effort away from the target.
France have certainly improved since the restart but chances such as Mbappe's have been few and far between. However, it will have at least made the Germany backline more wary of the youngster's pace.
Matuidi is starting to have move of an impact in attacking areas but on this occasion, the midfielder's volleyed cross doesn't find its intended target.
It surely won't be long before we see some changes. Lemar could be the man that Deschamps turns to, while Muller and Brandt will be hoping to get off the bench for Germany.
Mbappe finds himself in a one-on-one with Schulz and you expect there to be only one winner. However, the Germany wing-back does extremely well to halt Mbappe and force the ball out for a corner.
GOAL! France 1-1 Germany (Antoine Griezmann)
France have been the better team in this second half and they get the goal that they probably deserve. It's a stunning header from Griezmann, who is able to guide the ball into the far corner after a cross is drilled into his path by Hernandez.
The world champions are in the ascendancy right now and Germany are struggling to find an answer. It's going to take a big effort from Germany to prevent France from finding a second.
But back come Germany, Sane is constantly getting himself into threatening positions, but he is either trying to do too much with the ball or he isn't aware of pressure from a defender.
SHOT! Germany have responded really well. Gnabry receives the ball on the edge of the area and Lloris needs to be alert to parry his low strike away to the left.
We are still awaiting the first alteration but that's a good thing. We don't want the rhythm of this match to be disrupted because both teams are looking for a second goal.
Mbappe and Sane are starting to sit on the shoulder of the last defender in the hope of being played through. It's a clever tactic because it is keeping the respective defences in a deep area.
The action has quietened down a touch now, with Germany happy to keep hold of possession. They may require a breather because they had been relentless in attack in the minutes after France's equaliser.
SUBSTITUTION! The first change of the game sees Draxler introduced for Sane.
France finally provide a response and Pogba decides to try his luck from distance, but his shot hits a teammate and goes behind for a goal kick.
PENALTY! The referee awards France a penalty! A through-ball finds Matuidi and Hummels makes no contact with the ball when challenging the midfielder. However, the infringement comes from Matuidi placing his foot on Hummels's. It's debatable, again.
GOAL! France 2-1 Germany (Antoine Griezmann)
Griezmann steps up to send the ball into the right corner, sending Neuer the wrong way. This is a big ask for Germany now.
As we enter the closing 10 minutes, we can probably expect some defensive substitutions from France. They will be expecting an onslaught from the visitors, who need a win from this contest.
SUBSTITUTION! Germany make a second alteration with Brandt replacing Ginter.
SUBSTITUTION! France finally make a second change with Dembele coming on for Mbappe. Germany are trying to get something going, but their best chance of a leveller appears to be from a set piece.
SUBSTITUTION! France attempt to get Giroud in behind, but a Germany defender gets across to see off the danger. Germany make another change with Muller being introduced for Gnabry.
There will be three minutes of added-on time.
SUBSTITUTION! There will be no hat-trick from Griezmann as Ndombele takes the place of the forward.
SUBSTITUTION! Germany win a set piece and Deschamps acts by throwing on N'Zonzi for Kante.
Almost for France! Hummels fails to make contact with the free kick but Varane nearly diverts the ball into his own net. Nothing comes from the resulting corner.
FULL TIME: France 2-1 Germany
The full-time whistle goes in Paris and France have held on to secure a 2-1 victory over Germany. Griezmann's double after the break did the damage and this result has left France on the verge of qualification for the final stage and Germany now focused on looking to avoid relegation.
That will be all from Sports Mole for this match. Thank you for joining us this evening and we hope to see you again soon.
If you would like to read our on-the-whistle match report, you can do so by clicking here. Goodbye for now.
Written by
Darren Plant
Darren Plant
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