Didier Deschamps’ France have, on Monday evening, seen their hopes of glory officially brought to an end in this year’s Nations League.
Les Bleus were back in action a short time ago.
After an alarming opening to the defence of their Nations League title, en route to just a pair of points secured from three outings, Deschamps’ troops welcomed Croatia to the Stade de France, eyeing a much-needed return to winning ways.
When all was said and done, however, just five months out from the Qatar World Cup getting underway, France’s efforts came up short once more.
A solitary goal, netted by Luka Modric from the penalty spot inside five minutes, ultimately proved enough to guide Croatia to a 1-0 win, and a spot in 2nd in the Group A table.
Croatia take an early lead against France! ?
Luka Modric makes no mistake from the spot ?? pic.twitter.com/St0SuutGFj
— Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) June 13, 2022
For France, on the other hand, the reality of the situation has now become clear.
The world champions and reigning holders in the Nations League, less than 300 days on from emerging triumphant from the competition, have now officially been eliminated from contention to retain their crown.
Nations League, Group A1:
1 | Denmark – 9
2 | Croatia – 7
3 | Austria – 4
4 | France – 2France are now out of the running for first place.
— Get French Football News (@GFFN) June 13, 2022
Not only that, but, sitting bottom of the Group A table and two points adrift of Austria above them, the Blues also now face the real threat of being relegated for the next edition of the Nations League.
On an otherwise dismal night for all associated with France, though, there was at least one positive achievement worth taking note of, on the part of one of the country’s stars.
This comes with Antoine Griezmann having joined Zinedine Zidane as the 6th-most capped player (108) in the history of the French national team:
108 – Antoine Griezmann joins Zinédine Zidane as the 6th most capped player in the French national team. History. #FRACRO pic.twitter.com/Ptt4NpVB41
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) June 13, 2022
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