Leroy Sane sees red as Germany slump to second defeat in a row, Croatia seal Euro 2024 spot with win over Armenia

Germany suffered their second defeat in four days, losing 2-0 away to Austria in a game that was marred further for the visitors by a red card in the second half for Leroy Sane.

It was the latest setback at the start of Julian Nagelsmann’s reign after he was hired as the German national coach following the departure of Hansi Flick.

Nagelsmann has overseen just one win in four, which came in his first game in charge against the USA. Since then, he has seen his side draw 2-2 with Mexico, lose 3-2 at home to Turkey, and fall to Austria.

Borussia Dortmund’s Marcel Sabitzer opened the scoring in the 29th minute at Emst Happel Stadium before Sane was sent off for the first time in his career shortly after the break.

The former Manchester City winger shoved Phillipp Mwene in full view of the referee, who wasted little time brandishing the red card.

Things went from bad to worse for the Germans when RB Leipzig’s Christoph Baumgartner doubled Austria’s lead in the 73rd minute before the hosts completed a victory that was richly deserved.

Given their form, it is perhaps fortunate that Germany are hosting the 2024 European Championships and therefore have an automatic place in the tournament.

In the final round of qualifiers, Croatia secured their place with a 1-0 victory over Armenia. Ante Budimir scored the only goal of the game to clinch second in Group D behind Turkey and leave Wales third and needing to come through the play-offs.

Rob Page’s side needed to beat Turkey and hope Croatia dropped points to qualify automatically but it wasn’t to be.

Hopes were raised when Neco Williams put Wales ahead in the seventh minute but Yusuf Yazici levelled from the spot in the 70th minute to grab a share of the spoils.

In Group B, France rescued a 2-2 draw away to Greece after falling behind to two goals in five second-half minutes at the OPAP Arena.

Randal Kolo Muani gave France the lead towards the end of the first half before Anastasios Bakasetas and Fotis Ioannidis put the hosts in line for a famous victory.

But Youssouf Fofana struck in the 74th minute to ensure France remained unbeaten in their qualifying campaign. Greece’s third-place finish means they also face the prospect of the play-offs.

Elsewhere in the group, the Netherlands thrashed Gibraltar 6-0 to underline their position as runners-up.

The rest of the action came from Group I. Romania and Switzerland had already qualified and squared off in a first-versus-second clash.

It was a tight tussle but a goal from Romania’s Denis Alibec in the 50th minute proved the difference and secured top spot.

Israel, who finished third in the group, beat Andorra 2-0 win away from home, while Belarus travelled to Kosova and left with three points after a 1-0 victory.

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