Germany hold France; Bale, the star for Wales

Paris, Sept. 7: World Cup winners France were held to a 0-0 draw by Germany in Munich in a flat start to the new Uefa Nations League on Thursday, as Gareth Bale starred in a big win for Wales.

The heavyweight showdown at the Allianz Arena between the last two winners of the World Cup looked like the perfect game to mark the opening night of the new international competition.

However, on a rainy night in Bavaria, the meeting of the last two world champions never really sparked into life, although the French were grateful to goalkeeper Alphonse Areola for a couple of fine saves in the second half.

The Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper intervened brilliantly to deny Marco Reus and keep out a Matthias Ginter header, while Antoine Griezmann’s wellstruck shot that was saved by Manuel Neuer was as close as France came.

Meanwhile, Bale scored a stunning goal as an impressive Wales beat the Republic of Ireland 4-1 in Ryan Giggs’ first competitive match as manager. Bale followed up his fine start to the season with Real Madrid by curling in a sensational strike from outside the box in the 18th minute of their League ‘B’ encounter in Cardiff.

It was a 30th international goal for Bale, who is Wales’ all-time leading goal-scorer.

Tom Lawrence had already given Wales the lead before that.