In the Nations League bronze-medal match between France and Germany in Stuttgart on Sunday, Kylian Mbappe scored and added an assist.
Mbappe worked his magic on a France squad that had undergone significant changes.
Germany led the opening half, but just before half-time, Mbappe carved a shot through a crowded penalty box to celebrate his 50th goal in French style.
Mbappe snatched a poor Germany pass on the half-way line and hurried forward as the hosts desperately searched for an equalizer before setting up Michael Olise.
Mbappe hadn’t scored in France’s open play for more than a year.
The France captain responded to criticism made against him after the game by saying, “Everyone always talks about me, since I joined the international team. They speak poorly when given the chance to do so.
“I’m the next, and they did it with all the great players in history in France.” But that’s okay with me. I make an effort to do my job.
Aurelien Tchouameni, a midfielder for France and Real Madrid, praised Mbappe and his international teammate, saying that “everyone in the team loves him.”
He plays for us very dearly, and it’s amazing when he plays as he did today.
Questions remain as to how much Germany’s performance under Julian Nagelsmann has truly improved, despite losing two straight matches for the first time since 2023.
Niclas Fuellkrug, the striker, lamented his team’s wastefulness, telling DAZN: “If we had taken our first chance and scored, it could have been three or four nil.”
Didier Deschamps, France’s coach, acknowledged that the Nations League match against old foes Germany “isn’t the most important game for us,” with a particular focus on the World Cup coming up next year.
Deschamps switched to eight starting spots after the semi-final defeat to Spain, with only Mbappe, Maignan, and Adrien Rabiot, a veteran midfielder, remaining.
Nagelsmann also made a significant change, including reintroducing Fuellkrug to the starting XI.
In the opening half, the Germans had numerous chances. Karim Adeyemi received a penalty, but VAR overturned it for diving. The post was hit by Florin Wirtz.
Just before half-time, Mbappe scored. The Real Madrid man tapped into a pass that flung over Joshua Kimmich’s head, took a touch, and fired a header home with his preferred right foot.
At half-time, Nagelsmann replaced Deniz Undav with   rookie striker Nick Woltemade. Undav had the ball in the net when the move appeared to have had a positive impact, but his effort was blocked for a foul in the build-up.
Germany had a dominant lead in possession and field position, but Mbappe’s lightning-fast forwards, led by France, made them vulnerable on the break.
On 58 minutes, Marcus Thuram hit the post. Then, Mbappe and substitute Olise, both of whom play for Bayern Munich in Germany, combined to make the score 2-0.
With six minutes left, the French captain squatted for the onrushing Olise to tap home after a poor Robin Koch clearance on the half-way line.
