Germany is looking at another early tournament exit after France handed Joachim Loew's struggling team its latest defeat on Tuesday — showing that the balance of power in European soccer hasn't shifted much since the World Cup.
World champion France came from behind to win 2-1 in the UEFA Nations League on Tuesday as Germany fell to a fourth loss in its last six competitive games. It is the first time since 2000 that Germany has lost consecutive competitive matches, following a 3-0 defeat to the Netherlands on Saturday.
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Germany is looking at another early tournament exit after France handed Joachim Loew's struggling team its latest defeat on Tuesday — showing that the balance of power in European soccer hasn't shifted much since the World Cup.
Germany wasted its first-half dominance at Stade de France, having led through a 14th-minute penalty from Toni Kroos.
Elsewhere in the Nations League, Ukraine won promotion to League A by beating the Czech Republic 1-0 in Group 1 of the second tier.
France was overrun for a period in the first half after Germany converted a penalty that followed midfielder Paul Pogba being dispossessed too easily in his own half. German winger Leroy Sane was sent clear and his low cross hit the arm of defender Presnel Kimpembe.
Television replays showed Matuidi appeared to stand on Hummels' ankle sliding into the challenge, but UEFA is not using video review in its competitions this season.
The result means Germany, the 2014 World Cup winner which was eliminated in the group stage in Russia, cannot advance to the Final Four tournament in June for the Nations League top-tier group winners.
France's Kylian Mbappe, 2nd left, challenges for the ball with Germany's Toni Kroos, left, and Germany's Toni Kroos while Germany's Matthias Ginter, right, looks on during a UEFA Nations League soccer match between France and Germany at Stade de France stadium in Saint Denis, north of Paris, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018. (AP PhotoChristophe Ena)
Germany wasted its first-half dominance at Stade de France, having led through a 14th-minute penalty from Toni Kroos.
Antoine Griezmann struck twice in the second half — a precisely guided header in the 62nd and a penalty in the 80th — to take France's unbeaten streak to 15 games and extend its lead in Group 1 of League A.
Loew's team also risks an embarrassing relegation to the second-tier League B when it wraps up the group program against the Netherlands on Nov. 19.
France's Antoine Griezmann celebrates scoring his side's 2nd goal during a UEFA Nations League soccer match between France and Germany at Stade de France stadium in Saint Denis, north of Paris, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018. (AP PhotoChristophe Ena)
Elsewhere in the Nations League, Ukraine won promotion to League A by beating the Czech Republic 1-0 in Group 1 of the second tier.
Ukraine, coached by former star forward Andriy Shevchenko, also improved its chance of qualifying for the 2020 European Championship. Nations League group winners are assured of a place in the playoffs for the Euros, if they don't qualify directly.
UEFA created the Nations League to replace most international friendly games, though Belgium's schedule was free Tuesday to play the neighboring Dutch in a 1-1 draw in Brussels.
France's Antoine Griezman is congratulated by his teammates Olivier Giroud, left, and Blaise Matuidi, right, after scoring his side's 2nd goal on a penalty kick during a UEFA Nations League soccer match between France and Germany at Stade de France stadium in Saint Denis, north of Paris, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018. (AP PhotoChristophe Ena)
France was overrun for a period in the first half after Germany converted a penalty that followed midfielder Paul Pogba being dispossessed too easily in his own half. German winger Leroy Sane was sent clear and his low cross hit the arm of defender Presnel Kimpembe.
France drew level when left-back Lucas Hernandez crossed for his Atletico Madrid teammate Griezmann to guide a rising header beyond goalkeeper Manuel Neuer's dive.
Griezmann later wrong-footed Neuer from the penalty spot after a foul was called on defender Mats Hummels against midfielder Blaise Matuidi.
Ukraine's head coach Andriy Shevchenko gestures during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Ukraine and Czech Republic at the Metalist Stadium in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018. (AP PhotoEfrem Lukatsky)
Television replays showed Matuidi appeared to stand on Hummels' ankle sliding into the challenge, but UEFA is not using video review in its competitions this season.
UKRAINE UP
A third straight win for Ukraine ensured it became the first League B team promoted into the top tier for the next Nations League edition kicking off in two years' time.
Wales' Harry Wilson, center, celebrates scoring his side's first goal of the game during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Republic of Ireland and Wales at The Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018. (Liam McBurneyPA via AP)
Ruslan Malinovskyi's long-distance shot in the first half was enough to beat the Czechs in Kharkiv.
Wales now leads Group 4 in League B after beating Ireland 1-0 in Dublin through Harry Wilson's second-half free kick. Wales hosts Denmark on Nov. 16.
In League C, Norway now leads Bulgaria in four-team Group 4 after winning 1-0 in the team's meeting in Oslo. Slovenia staved off relegation by drawing 1-1 with Cyprus in a game of three red cards.
GEORGIA PROMOTED
Georgia's fourth straight win, 3-0 at Latvia, ensured it will win Group 1 and earn promotion from League D.
The No. 93 Georgians will also have a chance to advance to Euro 2020 as the lowest-ranked team at the tournament. One of the fourth-tier League D teams is sure to reach the Euro through the playoff route for Nations League group winners.
Gibraltar earned just its second ever competitive victory, beating visiting Liechtenstein 2-1. Gibraltar also closed to within three points of Group 4 leader Macedonia which lost its perfect record in a 4-0 loss at Armenia.
The final rounds of Nations League games are played Nov. 15-20. The Euro 2020 qualifying draw, seeded by Nations League standings, is made Dec. 2 in Dublin.
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