Austria 1-1 France: Les Bleus drop further points in the Nations League as they once again fail to beat inferior opposition leaving them sweating ahead of their World Cup defence that starts in FIVE months
- France lost their opening game to Denmark 2-1 at home before drawing in Split
- Didier Deschamps’ side are looking to defend their Nations League crown
- Austria won their first game but went down 2-1 to Denmark in their second
- Draw does little to help either assure themselves of solidity at the top of the group
Kylian Mbappe’s late equaliser in Vienna ensured France did not fall to their second defeat in three games, but did little to ensure Didier Deschamps’ side would defend their Nations League crown.
The draw against Ralf Rangnick’s Austria leaves France at the pit of their group, with a mere two points from three games and facing down the barrel of being out of the running to win 2022-23’s edition of this tournament by the end of next week.
While players and fans alike might hold the Nations League in something close to contempt following a long and gruelling season, the reality for the national teams is that this represents probably the best pre-World Cup preparation.
Andreas Weimann gave Austria a deserved lead against the world champions in Vienna
France manager Didier Deschamps will surely be concerned by what he is seeing this close to the World Cup
After Friday night, France have three games prior to the defence of their World Cup campaign begins in the Middle East on November 22.
Austria have seen something of a resurgence under Rangnick who appears to have done more with them in three weeks than he did in his entire tenure with Manchester United.
Their lead, through former Aston Villa man Andreas Weimann, was richly deserved.
However, when you have Mbappe, you always have a chance. His pace to get away from the Austria defenders before launching the ball high into the roof of the net after a stunning pass from Christopher Nkunku was typical of the Paris Saint Germain star.
Deschamps will be hoping such combinations can be replicated come Qatar.
Kylian Mbappe showed his class to get France a late equaliser against Austria
