Who could have predicted such a surprising outcome when this season of the UEFA Nations League kickstarted? Probably, no one.At least not Frenchmen, who are still the current both World and Nations League champions. However, Les Bleus have almost bought themselves a one-way ticket to the second division of international football in Europe, as they lost 2-0 to Denmark in the ultimate game of the group stage.France losing 0-2 to Denmark. No Raphael Varane in the starting XI. Not a coincidence. pic.twitter.com/64NYlu0xP1— SPORTbible (@sportbible) September 25, 2022 This much-deserved defeat glued France to the bottom of Group 1 for a while, below Denmark, and only Croatia’s 3-1 away win at Austria kept them afloat.Albeit Didier Deschamps couldn’t count on a whole dozen of exquisite players like Benzema or Kounde – due to injuries – it’s shameful for such giants to be torn apart by some mid-level national teams like Denmark.Kasper Dolberg with Denmark’s first goal of the match. 🇩🇰 France have work to do.#Denmark #France #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/U4E3XLKpz5— Sportskeeda Football (@skworldfootball) September 25, 2022 Christian Eriksen and his compatriots exploited all the flaws of the favourites magnificently, as the scoresheet showed 2-0 for the hosts after the opening 45 minutes. The Scandinavians were splendid in the counter-attacks and, especially, in set-pieces, which caused substantial treat to visitors.SKOV OLSEN GOAL!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/IIRZQBbGT7— ᴄʜᴀᴍᴀʏ🦊 (@maysuju16) September 25, 2022 Dolberg and Skov-Olsen wrapped up the game in the span of only five minutes, leaving Mbappe, Griezmann and friends with almost zero chances of resurrecting after such a shock. The former, though, had as many as three clear-cut chances to reduce the gap in the second half, but all of those were superbly denied by former Leicester City keeper Kasper Schmeichel.Kasper Schmeichel showing Leicester City what they miss this season in the match between Denmark and France. He has been an absolute world class in this game.— Ọládélé 🇳🇬👑 (@Theoladeledada) September 25, 2022 When experienced Danes saved themselves from a potential see-saw, all eyes and ears at the Parken Stadium turned to the capital of Austria, where the hosts and Croatia were deciding on who’ll advance to the Final Four and who’ll leave the top division.From being in the EURO 2008 TOTT at the age of 22 to now leading Croatia to the final 4 of the Nations League at the age of 37. Greatness. pic.twitter.com/pHc6WtzaxB— TC (@totalcristiano) September 25, 2022 Luka Modric put his side in front very early on, before Austria levelled prior the half-time break. Then, in the second half, Livaja and former Liverpool sweeper Lovren added two more to seal another huge success for the Croats, who have reached the showdown scheduled for 2023 as the Group 1 winners. The Danes are second, with a point adrift of them, while Austria are going down with just 4 points, one less than third-placed France.Thierry Henry & Eden Hazard ✨🇧🇪 pic.twitter.com/aSM7ICWp70— Instant Foot ⚽️ (@lnstantFoot) September 25, 2022 Meanwhile, French legend Thierry Henry made his coaching debut as the Belgium boss following Roberto Martinez’s one-game suspension. However, Henry could only watch his team gets defeated 1-0 in the clash with their neighbours, the Netherlands. This victory pushed the Dutch side to a deserved group win and the Final Four, while the Belgians finished as the runners-up.UEFA NATIONS LEAGUEGroup ASunday Austria – Croatia 1-3 (1-1)/Baumgartner 9 – Modric 6, Livaja 69, Lovren 72/Denmark – France 2-0 (2-0)/Dolberg 34, Skov Olsen 39/Netherlands – Belgium 1-0 (0-0)/Van Dijk 73/Wales – Poland 0-1 (0-0)/Swiderski 57/
