FanSided World Football
·17 November 2024
FanSided World Football
·17 November 2024
Earlier on in the day, Konrad Laimer and Austria were at home to Slovenia in the UEFA Nations League. Austria were winning for a lot of the game, but an 81st minute equaliser forced a draw. With Norway winning their game, this equalizer has prevented Austria from winning the group, and they will now play a two-legged tie against a third place side from league A.
This tie will take place at the end of March, and will decide if they are promoted from league B or not - the same format that the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga use.
Elsewhere in the Nations League, Harry Kane was back in the starting XI, as he once again captained his England side at home to the Republic of Ireland. After a tough first half, the floodgates opened in the second period, with the Three Lions roaring to a 5-0 win in the end.
Bayern's number nine got the ball rolling with a penalty early on in the second half. Whilst it may have 'only' been a penalty, the foul came from an outrageous through ball played by Kane towards Jude Bellingham. This win means England have topped their group, and are promoted back to league A.
Finally, there was action for Dayot Upamecano, Michael Olise, and Kingsley Coman, as their France side headed to Italy needing to win by two clear goals in order to win their group. For the game, Deschamps started all three players on the bench - handy for Bayern, at least.
It was the dream start for Les Blues, who took the lead within the first two minutes of the game. Just after the half hour mark, an own goal made it 2-0, though a quick response from Italy meant they would go into the interval with a 2-1 lead.
Twenty minutes into the second half, France made it 3-1, and that would be the final goal of the game, as they would record the necessary two-goal lead to top the group, and will therefore face a group runner-up in their Nations League quarterfinal tie.
All three Bayern players remained unused substitutes. No doubt a shame for each player on a personal level, but great news for Bayern. No injuries and all players with some handy rest.