Griezmann double piles pressure on Low as France sink Germany
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ByEurosport
Updated 16/10/2018 at 21:55 GMT
UEFA Nations League Group A1, Stade De France - France 2 (Griezmann 62, 80 pen) Germany 1 (Kroos 14 pen)
Antoine Griezmann of France celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Nations League A group one match between France and Germany at Stade de France on October 16, 2018 in Paris, France.
Image credit: Getty Images
Antoine Griezmann piled the pressure on Joachim Low by scoring a second-half double as France beat Germany 2-1 in Paris.
Low's side had failed to score in their previous three competitive matches for the first time in their history, and they needed a questionable spot-kick to get off the mark here. Leroy Sane's cross was blocked by the hand of the sliding Presnel Kimpembe and up stepped Toni Kroos whose weak spot-kick squirmed into the bottom corner, despite Hugo Lloris getting a hand to it.
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Germany's Toni Kroos celebrates scoring their first goal
Image credit: Reuters
However, the Atletico striker turned the game on its head after the restart with a superb glancing header in the 62nd minute to set up an enthralling finale. And when Mat Hummels was adjudged to have fouled Blaise Matuidi in the box - another questionable decision from the referee - with just 10 minutes to play, the 27-year-old confidently stroked home the penalty to put manager Low under even more scrutiny and lead his side to the cusp of the finals next year.
Didier Deschamps' side now need just a point against the Netherlands in November to seal their place in next stage of the Nations League.
Defeat is tough on Germany who cannot progress in the competition and comes after a dismal showing at the World Cup and a 3-0 loss to the Netherlands on Saturday.
TALKING POINT
The heat turns up a notch on Joachim Low. Germany were much the better side in the first-half and could have had the game wrapped up by the half-time break, but their soft centre was highlighted once more as they crawled into their shell after Griezmann's equaliser.
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Joachim Low, Manager of Germany gives his team instructions during the UEFA Nations League A group one match between France and Germany at Stade de France on October 16, 2018 in Paris, France.
Image credit: Getty Images
One goal in four and four defeats from their last six games is far from good enough and the responsibility ultimately lies at the door of the manager. Only months after their humiliation in Russia, Die Mannschaft are now staring at the embarrassing prospect of relegation in the Nations League. This is clearly a team in disarray, suffering from a serious lack of confidence and seemingly with little faith in their manager. So, after 12 years in charge, is Low's time finally up? And if it is, who could be the replacement?
MAN OF THE MATCH
Antoine Griezmann (France): Pulled his team out of a hole with a brilliant header that Alan Shearer would have been proud of. The 27-year-old is not known for his heading ability but he is quickly becoming a jack of all trades. If that wasn't enough, the Atletico Madrid talisman stepped up to stroke home a confident penalty to win Les Bleus the game.
PLAYER RATINGS
France: Lloris 6, Pavard 7, Kimpembe 6, Varane 6, Pogba 5, Griezmann 8, Giroud 6, Mbappe 7, Kante 7, Matuidi 7, Hernandez 7. Subs: Nzonzi N/A, N'Dombele N/A, Dembele N/A.
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France's forward Antoine Griezmann reacts after scoring their second goal on a penalty kick during the UEFA Nations League football match between France and Germany at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, near Paris on October 16, 2018.
Image credit: Getty Images
Germany: Neuer 6, Kehrer 6, Ginter 6, Hummels 6, Gnabry 7, Kroos 7, Werner 6, Schulz 6, Sule 6, Kimmich 7, Sane 7. Subs: Draxler 5, Brandt N/A, Muller N/A.
KEY MOMENTS
13' - PENALTY TO GERMANY! Sane's low cross is blocked by the hand of the sliding Kimpembe - and the referee points to the spot!
14' - GOAL! France 0-1 Germany: KROOS SCORES! But only just. It's not the greatest of penalties. Lloris dives the right way and gets a hand to it but can't keep it out. Fingers will be pointed at Pogba who was caught showboating in midfield, lost the ball and moments later Germany had a penalty.
19' - GERMANY SHOULD SCORE AGAIN! The visitors break from a corner, with Sane released in space. All he needs to do is square the ball to Werner who is in acres of space but the Manchester City forward overcooks his pass, allowing Lloris to race out and clear.
62' - GOAL! France 1-1 Germany: THE HOSTS ARE LEVEL! It's been coming. Hernandez delivers a cross with lots of pace and Griezmann guides it past Neuer with a glancing header.
79' - PENALTY TO FRANCE! Matuidi gets to the ball ahead of Hummels only to be brought down inside the box. The referee points to the spot!
80' - GOAL! France 2-1 Germany: THE TURNAROUND IS COMPLETE! Griezmann sends Neuer the wrong way with a confident penalty-kick.
KEY STATS
Germany have suffered six defeats in a calendar year for the first time. They have also lost two consecutive competitive matches for the first time since the year 2000.
Joachim Low's side have managed just one clean sheet in 11 matches in 2018 (9%).
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