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Once again unstoppable: Kylian Mbappé
Photo: Christian Hofer/Getty Images
Hoped for the sensation, achieved the respectable success: Austria had to settle for a 1-1 (1-0) against world champion France in the Nations League after a long lead.
Andreas Weimann scored the lead with his first international goal (37'), and star striker Kylian Mbappé scored the well-deserved equalizer for the French.
On Monday, the Austrians caused a stir in the 1-2 draw against Denmark less with their sporting performance, but with a longer power failure around Vienna's Ernst Happel Stadium and a mysterious hole that appeared in the lawn.
That should be different against France: Already in the first quarter of an hour, the ÖFB-Elf put the world champion under pressure again and again, the pressing football favored by coach Ralf Rangnick was clearly recognizable.
Weimann with a first goal, Alaba knocked out
France had problems getting into the game, but still got the first big chance of the game: After Austria goalkeeper Patrick Pentz was initially only able to fend off a free kick from Antoine Griezmann, Pentz then prevented the deficit with a reflex against Karim Benzema's header (18th minute). .).
Instead, the ÖFB selection even took the lead: A successful move ended with a cross pass from Konrad Laimer to Weimann.
The England legionnaire, currently under contract with second division side Bristol City, scored his first international goal (37th) in his 18th appearance for Austria.
Subsequently, the French attacks became more frequent.
Bayern professional Kingsley Coman tried after the break from an acute angle (56th), then there was prominent support for the offensive of the Équipe Tricolore: Didier Deschamps replaced Griezmann with the rested superstar Kylian Mbappé (63rd).
Rangnick, on the other hand, was forced to change the Austrian defense due to an injury to David Alaba, and Kevin Danso came into the game (69').
Used by Christopher Nkunku, who also came on as a substitute, Mbappé then equalized with a shot into the top left corner of the goal (83'), further French goals were prevented by the strong Pentz, who, among other things, directed an Mbappé attempt from close range to the bar (87').
In the parallel game of group 1 in the A-League, Croatia won 1-0 (0-0) in the away game against Denmark, which had previously won its first two group games.
Goal scorer was Mario Pašalić from Serie A club Atalanta Bergamo (69th).
The German national team will play their next Nations League game on Saturday evening (8.45 p.m., TV: RTL) in Group 3, an away game in Budapest against Hungary is on the schedule.
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