Third-place game of the 2024-2025 Nations League, at MHP Arena in Stuttgart. In case the score after the end of the 90’ is even, extra time follows, and after that (if necessary) a penalty shootout.
What We Know
- The last match between the two was in March. It was a friendly game on French soil that saw Germany win 0-2.
- Three of their last four duels saw 2-3 goals scored.
- Seven of Germany’s last nine games ended with over 2.5 goals.
- Germany has scored first in 6 of their last 7 games.
- In 7 out of the recent France games, both teams managed to score.
Germany - France Betting Tip
Both managers are expected to try things out in this one and try to overcome the sense of disappointment after the semi-final losses. Both showed they can score at will, and they can concede at will. It’s hard to see either fail to score, our pick is BTTS & over 2.5 goals.
- Betting tip: BTTS & Over 2.5 goals
- Odds: 1.78 (at the time of writing)
- Stake: 6
Germany
Germany failed to qualify for the final of the Nations League, despite the Final Four taking place in their country. In the first semi-final, they were defeated 1-2 by Portugal in Munich and were yet again knocked out of contention.
The first half was not quite memorable, but the Nationalmannschaft managed to take the lead early in the second, thanks to a header by Florian Wirtz, off an excellent cross by Kimmich. From that point, however, it was all Portugal. They brought in reinforcements and managed to turn the game around completely in 5 minutes (63’-68’).
Obviously, there is palpable frustration in and around the team. The game saw the end of an eight-game unbeaten streak. There is plenty of talent in the squad, but what seems to be missing is a natural leader who will put the team back on track and a clinical striker to convert their chances.
The team places a lot of weight on Wirtz and Musiala, and while both are world-class players, they need some of their teammates to step up and help them out in order to overcome the very best of the competition.
France
France was on one side of one of the best national team games in recent years; unfortunately for them, they were the losing side in that game. Didier Deschamps saw his team fall 4-5 to present titleholders Spain in the second Nations League semi-final on Thursday evening. That means third place is the best possible outcome for them now.
They started off strong, and they appeared to be the better team early on, but everything changed after they conceded first (23’). Two minutes later, their opponent scored again, and a disastrous two-minute span in the second half (54’-55’) saw two more goals conceded.
The French managed to pull one back with Mbappe a few minutes later, but Spain added a fifth goal, and everything appeared to be over. Miraculously, France scored first with Rayan Cherki (long-range stunner), then through an own goal in the 84th minute, and finally with Kolo-Muani’s header in stoppage time. The comeback, however, fell short.
This game was a teaching moment for the Les Bleus manager, and his choices attracted significant criticism. He is in charge of a squad with tremendous quality, especially in the midfield and attack, but he and his team have been unable to translate that into results and performances recently.
