Loss adds to Loew’s woes

– Antoine Griezmann (above) hit a pair of second-half goals as world champions France came from behind to beat Germany 2-1 in the Uefa Nations League last night and cast further doubt on Joachim Loew’s future.

Toni Kroos struck a 14th-minute penalty for Germany, but Griezmann engineered a rousing fightback in the first game between the nations at the Stade de France since the November 2015 friendly.

France coach Didier Deschamps fielded an almost identical team to the one that started the World Cup final, Presnel Kimpembe the lone exception in place of injured Samuel Umtiti.

Germany’s chastening 3-0 defeat by the Dutch on Saturday prompted Loew to make five changes, as he injected additional pace into the attack with the inclusions of Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry.

Hugo Lloris initially proved the far busier of the two goalkeepers as Germany sought to end a run of three competitive matches without a goal. He was forced to hack clear early on when N’Golo Kante’s intervention sent the ball rolling towards his own goal.

However, he was beaten on 14 minutes when Kroos struck from the spot after centre-back Kimpembe was penalised for a handball. Lloris dived to his left although he could only help the ball into the corner of the net.

France levelled on 62 minutes as Griezmann rose magnificently to head a driven Lucas Hernandez cross beyond a helpless Neuer.

France were awarded a penalty of their own 10 minutes from time and Griezmann smacked the resulting spot-kick past Neuer. –

Paris