Germany undone by Kylian Mbappé and Michael Olise as France take third place in UEFA Nations League

Germany's bright start in Stuttgart ultimately counted for little as a Kylian Mbappé-inspired France, who scored and also set up a goal for Michael Olise, ended the UEFA Nations League in third place.

Germany 0-2 France
Goals: 0-1 Mbappé 45', 0-2 Olise 84'  

Julian Nagelsmann’s Germany made a ferocious start as they looked to respond to the disappointment of their semi-final exit to Portugal in midweek. Barely a minute had passed when Niclas Füllkrug poked the ball through defence for Nick Woltemade, but the VfB Stuttgart striker was denied the chance to open his senior international goalscoring account at his home ground by Mike Maignan. Pascal Groß, Leon Goretzka and Karim Adeyemi all also had early chances. Adeyemi then thought he had won a penalty 10 minutes before the break, only for VAR to reverse the decision after the Borussia Dortmund attacker had gone down in the box. After Florian Wirtz struck the post, Mbappé converted an Aurélien Tchouaméni cross to send France into a half-time lead.

Match stats

• Germany were unbeaten in eight Nations League games before back-to-back defeats against Portugal and France.
• Former Germany youth international Bischof came on to make his senior debut against France.
• Nagelsmann's overall record as Germany coach reads: W12 D6 L5.
• Bundesliga Rookie of the Season Olise scored his second international goal in what was his eighth appearance for France.

Teams

Germany: Ter Stegen - Kimmich (c), Tah, Koch, Raum (Mittelstädt 65’) – Groß (Kehrer 73’), Goretzka (Bischof 65’ )– Woltemade (Undav 46), Wirtz, Adeyemi (Gnabry 77’) - Füllkrug
Unused subs: Baumann, Nübel, Anton, F. Nmecha, Sané, Gosens, Andrich, Pavlović
Out: Amiri (adductor), Bisseck (leg), Burkardt (heel), Havertz (hamstring), Henrichs (Achilles), Kleindienst (knee), Musiala (hamstring), Rüdiger (knee), Schlotterbeck (knee), Stiller (ankle)

Coach: Julian Nagelsmann

France: Maignan - Gusto, Badé, L. Hernández, Digne – Tchouaméni (Koné 68’), Rabiot - Kolo Muani (Doué 68’), Cherki (Olise 68’), Thuram (Guendouzi 90’) - Mbappé (c)
Unused subs: Samba, Chevalier, Pavard, Konaté, Zaïre-Emery, Kalulu, T. Hernández
Out: Camavinga (adductor), Dembélé (thigh), Kanté (not selected), Upamecano (knee)
Coach: Didier Deschamps

As it happened...

5:12

Watch: All of Michael Olise's goal and assists

The Bayern striker scored his second goal for France today - the continuation of some barnstorming form in the Bundesliga last season.

Full-time: Germany 0-2 France

The visitors take third-place in the UEFA Nations League after goals in each half from Kylian Mbappé and Bayern Munich attacker Michael Olise won the day for France. Germany had plenty of chances - especially in the opening 15 minutes - and even had a Deniz Undav effort chalked off as Julian Nagelsmann's side had to settle for fourth place in the tournament, with this defeat in Stuttgart following their semi-final reverse against Portugal.

© FRANCK FIFE

90'

+ 4

Undav and out

The Stuttgart striker's attempt at a far-post special lacks the necessary curl and zips wide.

90'

Substitution

Guendouzi

Thuram

90'

Time aded on

There will be six added minutes here.

89'

Confusion abounds

Gnabry passes the ball back for Undav, who has the goal at his mercy. Füllkrug enters the scene at the last second, running across the ball and leaving Undav with his arms outstretched. Chance wasted.

88'

Kimmich has a pop

This is an improved attack from Germany, who work the ball across to Kimmich to shoot low. Maignan gets down to save well.

84'

Game over?

France forge further ahead and that might be that for Germany. Koch's error at the back allows Mbappé to break and his pace takes him all the way towards the Germany area, where he unselfishly plays Olise in for the simple task of tapping home for 2-0.

84'

Olise

GOAL!

0:2

80'

Same again

France break and it's a one-v-one between Mbappé and Koch. The France forward works himself some space and fires low at goal. Ter Stegen gathers that with relative ease.

78'

Mbappé danger

The Real Madrid forward tries a scissor effort from just outside the area which ter Stegen gets an outstretched hand to to th erelief of the home crowd.

77'

Substitution

Serge Gnabry

Karim Adeyemi

74'

ter Stegen on point

PSG star Doué is not long on the pitch before he gets a chance to fire at goal. Ter Stegen gets across to save and hold on.

73'

Substitution

Kehrer

Pascal Groß

70'

Les Bleus danger

After making a triple swap, France are soon on the attack again. One of those changes is Bayern Munich's Michael Olise who feeds Thuram. The France forward - who hit the post moments ago - sends an effort at goal which ter Stegen does well to palm wide.

68'

Substitution

Koné

Tchouaméni

68'

Substitution

Olise

Cherki

68'

Substitution

Doué

Kolo Muani

67'

Füllkrug blocked

The Germany striker gets into a great position but he is just blocked out by Badé prior to pulling the trigger.

65'

Double change

Nagelsmann brings on Tom Bischof to make his senior Germany bow, with Stuttgart man Maximilian Mittelstädt also on for the hosts.

65'

Substitution

Maximilian Mittelstädt

David Raum

65'

Substitution

Tom Bischof

Leon Goretzka

63'

Wasted opportunity

Kolo Muani receives the ire from his teammates after leading a very promising counter-attack into the danger zone. The attacker has options either side but tries to go it alone and comes unstuck against Kimmich.

61'

Handbags

Lucas Hernández and Jonathan Tah face off in a melee involving several players from both teams. The referee shows the pair a yellow card.

61'

Yellow card

Jonathan Tah

61'

Yellow card

L. Hernández

58'

Thuram hits post

One more big moment in this game, with ex-Gladbach forward Marcus Thuram being afforded plenty of time and space to arc a shot goalward from the left. His shot hits the face of the post.

56'

Cherki chance

The France forward puts on the afterburners and bears down on the Germany goal. He swipes at a shot which fizzes wide. Cherki didn't really catch that and will be disappointed.

54'

No goal

Undav is denied. The moment came about when France looked to play the ball out from the back via Maignan. Rabiot received the ball but there was then a coming together with Füllkrug, leading to Undav picking up possession and rifling home. After a long check on his monitor, the referee awards a free kick to France.

51'

Goal check

Deniz Undav has put the ball in the back of the net for Germany but there will be a check for a possible foul on Rabiot here ....

47'

Mbappé goes close

The French captain has space inside the area on the left, moves outside Koch and fires low towards the near post. The ball nestles in the side-netting. Big chance for France there.

46'

Change at the break

The hosts remove local favourite Nick Woltemade and introduce another Stuttgart star in Deniz Undav.

46'

Substitution

Deniz Undav

Nick Woltemade

46'

Off we go again

The second half in on at the MHPArena.

Half-time: Germany 0-1 France

Kylian Mbappé's strike right on half-time has given the visitors the lead in what has developed into a scintillating UEFA Nations League third-place play-off in Stuttgart. Germany had an abundance of chances early on, but Dider Deschamps' men grew into the encounter and struck late in the half to earn a narrow lead at the break.

© FRANCK FIFE

45'

France lead

The visitors hit the front with a goal that might have been avoidable from a Germany perspective. Mbappé receives a looping ball at the back post from a set-piece and there doesn't look a huge amount on. The Real Madrid forward cuts outside Kimmich and spanks a shot towards the opposite post. Ter Stegen gets fingertips on the ball but can't prevent it from going in. Les Bleus are in front.

45'

Mbappé

GOAL!

0:1

45'

Woltemade denied

Mike Maignan saves from a Nick Woltemade effort inside the area. Soon afterwards, the Stuttgart forward has the ball in the net but he had handled just before firing home and the referee awards a free-kick out.

Top entertainment

Germany have no doubt been the better team here but with Les Bleus growing into the game from the halfway point of the opening 45', this third-place play-off has provided terrific entertainment.

© THOMAS KIENZLE

39'

End-to-end

This is a super game in the Stuttgart sunshine now. France race forward through Kolo Muani. The former Frankfurt star angles the ball across to Mbappé, who is all alone. The Real Madrid forward slips and shanks an effort wide. His blushes are somewhat saved by an offside flag.

36'

Germany hit post

The hosts storm back up the other end and suddenly Wirtz has a little time inside the box. He pokes towards the far post and looks on as his effort bounces against the upright.

35'

France attack

France respond to that decision with an attack. Cherki is on the right and sends the ball into the mixer. It's deflected into the side-netting. The subsequent corner comes to nothing.

35'

Yellow card

Karim Adeyemi

34'

No penalty, Adeyemi booked

After some time, the referee is called to the screen. He has a look and decides there was no contact on Adeyemi, who will be booked for diving.

30'

Penalty Germany!

Adeyemi races onto the through ball, controls inside the area and receives contact from Maignan before going down. The referee points to the spot, although there will be a check.

28'

Raum sees yellow

The Leipzig man body-checks Kolo Muani out on the flank and that will be a booking.

28'

Yellow card

David Raum

Impressive numbers

Germany have mounted eight attacks in this game thus far and although France have been slowly coming back into the encounter, Julian Nagelsmann will be satisfied with his side's showing thus far in Stuttgart.

© FRANCK FIFE

23'

Maignan in action

Adeyemi is once again thwarted by the French keeper, who makes a relatively straightforward save from the No.14's shot.

22'

Set-piece wasted

Germany have a free-kick in an interesting position. After taking some time to decide what to do, Raum eventually fires straight into the France wall.

20'

Ter Stegen saves

Cherki - making his first senior start for France - recieves the ball wide on the right. He moves inwards and darts a left-footed shot at goal through the legs of Raum. Ter Stegen parries wide. From the resulting corner, the goalkeeper is there again to claw Badé's header out.

16'

Decent France spell

This is better from the visitors, who had previously been penned in. Digne's cross into the mixer causes Germany problems and with Kolo Muani prowling, Robin Koch does well to eventually clear his lines.

12'

Digne booked

Lucas Digne prevents Adeyemi from breaking forward on the right on that's a yellow card, the first of the game.

12'

Yellow card

Digne

10'

Tah alert

The Germany centre back is aware to the danger Mbappé and Cherki are looking to create and slides in to clear. A rare foray forward for France there.

8'

Germany dominating

With 60 per cent possession and five chances to Frances zero this far, it's easy to see why the home fans are enjoying themselves here.

6'

Adeyemi's moment

This probably should have been the lead for Germany. Adeyemi finds himself just in side the area, cuts back to lose his man and with the target gaping from around the penalty spot, fires at Maignan, who holds on.

5'

Home side flying

Still the hosts swarm forward and when Adeyemi has the ball clipped off his toes inside the box, Füllkrug follows up with an effort that is headed clear by Digne. Les Bleus are up against it.

3'

Germany on top

Pascal Groß is wayward with an effort before Karim Adeyemi goes full stretch to reach a ball into the France area. The Dortmund attacker just fails to get there. Solid start from the hosts here .

2'

Almost Woltemade!

Germany are on the front foot from the start and Goretzka picks out Woltemade, who has the goal in front of him. The Stuttgart man shoots straight at Maignan, who is able to block.

1'

Game on!

The ball is rolling in this UEFA Nations League third-place play-off.

Anthems done

The national anthems have played out and we're all set for kick-off ...

Teams out!

This game may 'only' be for third place in the 2024/05 UEFA Nations League, but Germany vs. France is always a huge occasion and today is no different. Both teams have taken to the pitch as the sun beats down on the MHPArena. It's the perfect day for football.

France much changed

France coach Didier Deschamps is all set to give his final team-talk ahead of today's game and - as mentioned below - the tactician is sending out a team here with just three of the players who featured against Spain. Goalkeeper Mike Maignan along with Adrien Rabiot and captain Kylian Mbappé start again in Stuttgart.

© IMAGO/ Matthieu Mirville

Warm-ups!

Both teams are going through their paces on a bright afternoon in Stuttgart, with particular local fan attention on home favourite Nick Woltemade, who received a cheer moments ago when the starting line-ups were announced.

© IMAGO/BEAUTIFUL SPORTS/Wunderl

More on that Germany team

Today's hosts are showing four changes to the team that began the 2-1 reverse against Portugal in the last-four in Munich, with David Raum, Pascal Groß, Karim Adeyemi and Niclas Füllkrug all in from the start in Stuttgart. Nick Woltemade keeps his place, as does creator-in-chief, Florian Wirtz.

© IMAGO/Eibner-Pressefoto

More on that France team

Today's visitors count former Bundesliga players Lucas Hernández, Randal Kolo Muani and Marcus Thuram among eight changes to the side that started the semi-final loss against Spain. Ex-Dortmund star Ousmane Dembélé picked up a thigh injury in that encounter and misses out completely here.

© imago images / Revierfoto

Germany starting XI

Ter Stegen - Kimmich (c), Tah, Koch, Raum - Groß, Goretzka - Woltemade, Wirtz, Adeyemi - Füllkrug

Germany subs

Baumann, Nübel, Anton, F. Nmecha, Undav, Kehrer, Mittelstädt, Sané, Gnabry, Gosens, Andrich, Pavlović, Bischof

France starting XI

Maignan - Gusto, Badé, L. Hernández, Digne - Tchouaméni, Rabiot - Kolo Muani, Cherki, Thuram - Mbappé (c)

France subs

Samba, Chevalier, Pavard, Guendouzi, Olise, Koné, Konaté, Zaïre-Emery, Kalulu, T. Hernández, Doué

Solid record in Stuttgart

Germany have previously played in Stuttgart on 36 occasions, winning 22 and drawing five of their games in the city. Their record against France here is: P3, W1 D1 L1.

© IMAGO/Philipp Kresnik / SPP

A fond farewell

Today is Germany assistant coach Sandro Wagner's last game with the national set-up before the 37-year-old takes up his new role as head coach of Augsburg. The current Hoffenheim assistant Benjamin Hübner will next step in to assist Julian Nagelsmann.

© IMAGO/Marc Schueler

Afternoon schedule

Today's encounter has a 3pm local kick-off time. Julian Nagelsmann and his Germany squad will depart from their Stuttgart airport team hotel base for the MHPArena two hours before the game is due to start.

© IMAGO/Harry Koerber

Penalty drama?

Should today's encounter end in a draw, we'll go straight to a penalty shootout to decide who takes third place in this year's UEFA Nations League.

4:06

Game day!

Welcome to Stuttgart, host of today's UEFA Nations League third-place play-off! As we build up to Germany's encounter against France at the MHPArena, it's time to take a quick look at the venue for this afternoon's game with a fan-view flashback!

Changes expected

After Nick Woltemade became the 17th different player to make their international debut in the Germany set-up since Nagelsmann took charge, the Germany boss seems set to continue to look for ways to tweak his squad, announcing in his press conference: "There will be a few changes. I won't reveal it in detail. We still didn't decide everything 100 per cent. The system we used against Portugal was similar to against Italy. We'll try to win the ball higher tomorrow than we did on Wednesday, so we'll adapt the system to the opponent."

Julian Nagelsmann on facing France

"Our aim is to keep them as far away from goal as possible. We need to be better and more aggressive in possession than we were against Portugal...The striking thing is the depth they have all the way down to the Under-21 level. Yes, they have some problems in some positions, but overall the quality is brutal. It's difficult to outplay them when they're in the flow. But we beat them in March and will try to do it again tomorrow."

© IMAGO/osnapix / Marcus Hirnschal

Didier Deschamps on facing Germany

"As a result of having very little time, I will be forced to make a lot of changes. There’ll be a chance to give game-time to certain players. After all, It’s an international encounter, against Germany, and we will be doing our best to win. The match is here, and it’s here to be played. As I always say, once the players are on the pitch, they’ll all want to give their all to win. It’ll be an opportunity for me and my staff to take certain things into consideration."

France succumb in semi-final

By contrast, France fell narrowly short of pulling off a remarkable comeback against Spain on Thursday evening as they managed to claw a 5-1 deficit back to 5-4 but couldn't find the all-important equaliser.

Joshua Kimmich on the defeat against Portugal

It wasn't the celebration Germany's captain was hoping for on his 100th career appearance for the national team, who had this to say of the defeat: "That was one of our worst games. It was absolutely a deserved defeat. We weren't good enough with or without the ball. After going 1-0 up, we showed nothing at all. We have to learn from that. If we don't bring energy, we can't compete against top European teams."

© Alexander Hassenstein

Germany's semi-final sadness

A Florian Wirtz header wasn't enough to see Germany reach the UEFA Nations League finals, as Portugal came from behind to win 2-1, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring the decisive goal in the second half. Despite an impressive performance from a much-changed Germany outfit - which included a full debut for young striker Nick Woltemade - complacency seemed to creep in after taking the lead, opening the door for Portugal's eventual comeback.

© IMAGO/Germany v Portugal

Previous meeting

The last time these sides met was in the group stage of EURO 2020, which ended in a 1-0 German defeat courtesy of a Mats Hummels own goal – the first ever scored by Germany at a European Championships.

© ALEXANDER HASSENSTEIN

Welcome!

Germany came up just short in their UEFA Nations League semi-final with Portugal, but can still take bronze with victory over France. VfB Stuttgart's MHP Arena is the venue - stay tuned for match build-up, live coverage and reaction!