Griezmann adds to Germany’s woes
PARIS: Antoine Griezmann’s secondhalf double helped France to a 21 win over Germany in the Nations League, leaving Joachim Low’s side in danger of relegation from League A group 1.
Ukraine earned promotion to the top tier from group B1 with a 10 win over the Czech Republic thanks to Ruslan Malinovskyi’s strike, and Georgia gained promotion from League D.
Germany took a 12thminute lead from the penalty spot after a sliding Presnel Kimpembe was adjudged to have handled Leroy Sane’s cross.
Although captain Hugo Lloris got a hand to Toni Kroos’s effort, the Tottenham goalkeeper could not keep it out.
France drew level in the 62nd minute when Griezmann found the top corner with a brilliant angled header from Atletico Madrid teammate Lucas Hernandez’s cross.
Les Bleus were awarded a contentious penalty of their own when Mats Hummels slid in on Blaise Matuidi in the area, and Griezmann sent Manuel Neuer the wrong way to put the world champion in a commanding position at the top of the table.
France is on seven points with the Netherlands on three points and Germany on one, with one game to play.
The Germans have lost six games in a calendar year for the first time.
Andriy Shevchenko’s Ukraine maintained its 100% record with a 10 defeat of the Czech Republic, courtesy of Malinovskyi’s longrange curling effort.
Wales moved top of group B4 with a 10 win over the Republic of Ireland. Harry Wilson’s fine freekick split the sides.
Norway beat Bulgaria 10 to pull level on nine points with its opponent at the top of group C3, while 10man Slovenia saved itself from relegation with an equaliser to draw 11 with nineman Cyprus in Ljubljana. Georgia was promoted with its fourth win from as many group D1 games, a thumping 30 triumph at Latvia, which is joint bottom with Andorra, thrashed 40 by secondplaced Kazakhstan.
Armenia caused a shock by thrashing group D4 leader Macedonia 40, while Gibraltar backed up its first competitive win with a 21 victory against bottomplaced Liechtenstein.
Gibraltar and Armenia are level on six with Macedonia top on nine.