France qualified for the UEFA Nations League quarterfinals, despite a lackluster 0-0 draw against Israel on Thursday, in front of a record low crowd at the Stade de France due to security concerns around the game.
Back at the venue in the northern suburbs of Paris for the first time since June 2023, Les Bleus were unimpressive, but still secured at least second place in Group A2. They currently sit second with 10 points from five games, three behind Italy, who beat Belgium 1-0 in Brussels.
France will face the Azzurri in Milan on Sunday with the top spot at stake.
Thursday’s game was played in front of a sparse crowd and heavy security, a week after violence in Amsterdam involving visiting Israeli fans and locals.
With 4,000 security personnel patrolling in and around the grounds to prevent trouble, attendance was at a record low, with only 16,611 spectators watching, in the smallest-ever turnout for Les Bleus at the Stade de France.
“I didn’t see the scuffles. We had to play this game in a context that we would like not to have. It’s obviously weird to play in front of such a (small) crowd,” France’s coach Didier Deschamps said after the match.
With captain Kylian Mbappe left off the squad and Ousmane Dembele ruled out due to a thigh injury, France were missing their usual firepower and it showed. They lacked creativity and inspiration throughout the contest, as Randal Kolo Muani, who started as a lone forward with Bradley Barcola and Michael Olise on his flanks, struggled to threaten. He had his first chance in the 19th minute, but his header was safely parried away by Daniel Peretz.
France dominated and thought they had scored the opener in the 77th minute, only for Peretz to keep his side afloat with a nice save to deny Warren Zaire Emery. Second-half substitute Marcus Thuram headed the ball straight into Peretz’s arms and Christopher Nkunku also came close in stoppage time, but it was too little, too late for the hosts.
Early Tonali strike gives Italy away win over Belgium
Sandro Tonali tapped in an early goal to hand visiting Italy a 1-0 victory over Belgium, tightening their grip on the top place in Group A2.
Tonali scored his first goal for Italy, and could have had another in an impressive performance at the King Baudouin Stadium, although Belgium gave as good as they got in a fast-paced game.
Tonali took full advantage of Giovanni di Lorenzo’s pass, following a slip by Belgian defender Maxim De Cuyper in the 11th minute, to give Italy an early lead they never relinquished, despite a strong finish by the hosts.
The result moved Italy up to 13 points in the standings. Belgium’s slim hopes of reaching next March’s quarterfinals came to an end with the narrow defeat. The injury-hit home side did keep Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma busy after weathering the visiting team’s first half dominance.
Tonali could have put the Italians ahead 2-0 on the stroke of halftime, but had a half-chance blocked after being set up by Andrea Cambiaso.
The Belgians looked much sharper from the start of the second half, although Italy had more chances to extend their lead. Mateo Retegui broke free on a counterattack nine minutes after the break, but was denied by a one-handed stop from Belgium goalkeeper Koen Casteels. A scramble in the home team’s box followed, but defender Wout Faes eventually cleared the ball.
“The lads did well, because the pitch got really heavy in the second half, we lost a bit of sharpness when in possession and made a few too many misplaced passes,” Italy coach Luciano Spalletti told RAI Sport. “As we said before the game, in places like this, you have to keep the ball, that is essential to take the pressure off and control the game. When Belgium pinned us back into our own half it was tough, but they fought like lions.”