The overture to the UEFA Nations League clash against Israel was not good for the French. The two attacking forces, the two captains, and the core of the French offence, Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe, were not there. The first one retired from international football, while the latter was allegedly injured. All in all, Didier Deschamps had to rely on his youth, which repaid him with four goals in the rivals’ net – 4-1!Eduardo Camavinga opened the scoring only seven minutes into the match with a long-range goal, significantly helped by Israel custodian Omri Glazer’s terrible reaction. The home team (only in prospect since the duel was played in Budapest, Hungary) bounced back in the 24th minute, netting the equalizer through Omri Gandelman, but that was everything they managed to do. Their joy lasted for four minutes when Chelsea’s forward Christopher Nkunku used another rivals’ poor defensive reaction and gave France another lead, scoring his debut goal for the national team.Christopher Nkunku; what a goal.#ISRFRA pic.twitter.com/jwtmwh7Fqf— priiest (@cfcpriiest) October 10, 2024 Greek tragedy at Wembley! Minnows stun lacklustre Three LionsFrench domination after the break was even more convincing, embodied in 76% of possession, six attempts (three on target), and six corner kicks. Conversely, Israel had neither shots nor corners. Still, Ran Ben Shimon’s crew held out until the game’s dying minutes, when Les Blues were rewarded for the fantastic display with two more goals.Lazio’s Matteo Guendouzi netted himself in the 87th minute and only two minutes later assisted to Paris Saint-Germain’s wonder Bradley Barcola, who set the final score – 4-1. France are currently second in Group A2 of the UEFA Nations League, one point behind Italy, whereas the Israelis are pointless after three rounds. Both teams play their next matches in three days – France against Belgium in Brussels and Israel travel to Udine to face the Azzurri.UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE AThursdayIsrael – France 1-4 (1-2)/Gandelman 24 – Camavinga 6, Nkunku 28, Guendouzi 87, Barcola 89/Italy – Belgium 2-2 (2-1)/Cambiaso 1, Retegui 24 – De Cuyper 42, Trossard 61/Friday21:45: (5.00) Hungary (4.10) Netherlands (1.65)21:45: (10.5) B&H (6.75) Germany (1.28)Saturday19:00: (1.63) Croatia (3.80) Scotland (5.70)21:45: (5.50) Poland (3.90) Portugal (1.63)21:45: (2.65) Serbia (3.25) Switzerland (2.95)21:45: (1.40) Spain (4.60) Denmark (8.00)Monday21:45: (1.65) Germany (3.80) Netherlands (5.40)21:45: (3.00) Belgium (3.40) France (2.35)Tuesday21:45: (5.20) Scotland (3.80) Portugal (1.75)21:45: (1.30) Spain (5.80) Serbia (12.0)UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE BThursdayEngland – Greece 1-2 (0-0)/Bellingham 87 – Pavlidis 49, 90+4/Finland – R. Ireland 1-2 (1-0)/Pohjanpalo 17 – Scales 57, Brady 88/Austria – Kazakhstan 4-0 (1-0)/Baumgartner 10, Lienhart 53, Sabitzer 56, Seidi 79/Norway – Slovenia 3-0 (1-0)/Haaland 7, 62, Sorloth 52/Friday21:45: (2.80) Iceland (3.15) Wales (2.65)21:45: (2.20) Ukraine (3.35) Georgia (3.35)21:45: (1.32) Turkey (5.10) Montenegro (10.0)21:45: (1.70) Czech R. (3.80) Albania (5.10)Sunday16:00: (5.30) Kazakhstan (3.60) Slovenia (1.70)19:00: (9.50) Finland (4.90) England (1.35)21:45: (1.90) Greece (3.35) R.Ireland (4.40)21:45: (2.20) Austria (3.45) Norway (3.25)Monday21:45: (2.25) Ukraine (3.40) Czech R. (3.20)***odds are subject to change***
