France's journey in the UEFA Nations League just got a little more interesting! 🇫🇷⚽️ Despite a 0-0 draw against Israel on Thursday, Les Bleus clinched a spot in the quarterfinals. But here's the kicker—the match was played in front of a record low crowd at the Stade de France, all thanks to heightened security concerns.
Imagine playing in one of Europe's biggest stadiums but hearing only a handful of cheers. Weird, right? 😕 With only 16,611 fans in the stands, it felt more like an intimate gig than an international football showdown. The heavy security presence—4,000 personnel to be exact—was there to keep things chill after some previous troubles in Amsterdam involving Israeli fans.
Coach Didier Deschamps admitted it was a strange vibe: \"It's obviously weird to play in front of such a small crowd.\" And with stars like Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé out of action, France struggled to bring that usual spark. ✨
Players like Randal Kolo Muani, Bradley Barcola, and Michael Olise tried to make things happen up front but couldn't find the back of the net. The Israeli goalkeeper, Daniel Peretz, was on fire, denying France multiple times, including a close one from Warren Zaïre-Emery in the 77th minute. Talk about a suspenseful match! 😬
Even though it wasn't their best performance, France secured at least second place in Group A2 with 10 points. They're just three points behind Italy, who they'll face in Milan on Sunday. Get ready for a showdown with the Azzurri! 🇮🇹🔥 The top spot is up for grabs, and you know Les Bleus will bring their A-game.
So, football fans, keep your jerseys ready and your chants louder. Let's see how France navigates the next challenge in this rollercoaster of a tournament! 🎉🥳
Reference(s):
France reach UEFA Nations League last eight after 0-0 draw with Israel
cgtn.com
