France avoid Nations League relegation despite loss to Denmark
After losing 3-1 to Croatia on Sunday, Austria were relegated and finished one point below France
COPENHAGEN: Despite losing to Denmark, defending champions France narrowly avoided being demoted from the Nations League.
After losing 3-1 to Croatia on Sunday, Austria were relegated and finished one point below France.
To qualify for the championship game next summer, Denmark needed to win and hoped that Croatia would lose to Austria.
The hosts in Copenhagen scored two goals in the first half from Kasper Dolberg and Andreas Skov Olsen.
By defeating Austria on Thursday, world champions France, who defeated Spain 2-1 in last year's Nations League final, snapped a four-game losing streak and rose off the bottom of the group.
At Parken Stadium, Kylian Mbappe forced Kasper Schmeichel into action after a corner as France mounted early pressure. France needed to win to ensure their top-tier position in the championship.
A beautiful ball over the top by the Manchester United midfielder was intercepted by Skov Olsen after Christian Eriksen had helped Denmark start to pose more of a threat.
To build up Dolberg's breakthrough, Eriksen found Mikkel Damsgaard on the right; the striker glided in to meet the Brentford winger's low cross.
Joakim Maehle and Thomas Delaney were originally stopped by Alphonse Areola, who also made saves from Skov Olsen, who then doubled the lead with a spectacular shot from the edge of the box.
Due to Croatia's victory over them on Thursday, Denmark lost the chance to lock themselves a spot in the championship game.
Schmeichel was in excellent form as he denied Mbappe three times in as many minutes to give Kasper Hjulmand's team the victory they needed for the game, but it was insufficient as Croatia scored two goals in the second half to take first place by one point.
Comments