Ex-Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud was on target as he helped France to see off Austria for their first win in this season’s UEFA Nations League. The AC Milan star sealed the win for the French team with the second goal of the game.
World champions France are the holders of the UEFA Nations League, but they won’t be able to defend their title after failing to win any of their first four games in Group A1. They are in Group A1 alongside Croatia, Denmark and Austria. Only the top team from Group A1 will qualify for the final phase of the UEFA Nations League this season.
France began their Group A1 campaign with a 2-1 comeback defeat at home to Denmark before they played out a 1-1 draw at the home of Croatia. The world champions were forced to a 1-1 draw by hosts Austria in their third game in the group. They then suffered a second group defeat with the 1-0 home loss to Croatia.
After the loss to Croatia, France were in serious danger of dropping down to League Two, but the 2-0 home win over Austria earlier this week has eased those fears. After a goalless first half,Paris Saint Germain (PSG) star KylianMbappebroke the deadlock eleven minutes into the second halfbefore AC Milan striker Giroud added a second goal nine minutes later. The goal from Giroudmoved him closer to Thierry Henry on the list of the players with the most goals for France.