France booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Nations League after a goalless draw with Israel in Group A2 at Stade de France, where there were clashes between fans and security guards in the stadium amid heightened tensions.
Extra security measures had been put in place around the match, with authorities on high alert following violence in Amsterdam before and after a Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv last week.
Only an estimated 20,000 tickets had been sold, with around 150 Israel supporters expected in the 80,000-capacity ground, many holding flags during the national anthems.
Despite the sparse crowd, tensions remained high, with some flash points between rival fans in the stands during the early stages as security staff moved in to restore order.
France were captained by N’Golo Kante in the absence of regular skipper Kylian Mbappe, who was rested by Didier Deschamps.
It was a positive start from Les Bleus, with Kolo Muani darting into the right side of the penalty area before cutting the ball back to Michael Olise, who saw his shot blocked by Israel defender Idan Nachmias.
In the 19th minute, Eduardo Camavinga clipped ball into the penalty area, with Muani’s looping header clawed away by Israel goalkeeper Daniel Peretz.
Kante then forced Peretz to make a smart low save from his angled drive after creating space in the left side of the box.
Israel came close to a shock lead late in the first half when a free-kick from the right was flicked across the face of goal, but Raz Shlomo could not turn it in at the far post.
France should have broken the deadlock just before the break, but Muani’s angled shot was blocked before PSG forward Bradley Barcola missed his kick as the ball bobbled through the six-yard box.
Les Bleus were playing back at the Stade de France for the first time in more than a year, following the Paris Olympics and Paralympic Games.
There was, though, something of a flat atmosphere, given the sparse crowd, with jeers ringing out whenever Israel ventured into the French half.
France continued to press, but were confronted by a deep line of five defenders across the edge of the penalty box.
76’ A clever layoff from RKM to WZE, who hits it first-time, but the keeper saves it!!
0-0 | #FRAISR | #FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/aqPz243CXt
— French Team ⭐⭐ (@FrenchTeam) November 14, 2024
With 20 minutes left, Deschamps made a couple of changes to freshen up the side, with Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku and Adrien Rabiot sent on.
Peretz produced another fine reaction save to parry a close-range effort from Warren Zaire-Emery.
In stoppage-time, Marcus Thuram’s header was planted straight at Peretz, who then pushed away Nkunku’s fierce drive as Israel held out for a first point of their Group A2 campaign.
Lee Carsley was proud of the way England took control of their Nations League destiny and praised “great example” Harry Kane after surprisingly dropping the skipper for the must-win match in Greece.The interim boss’ bold selection backfired in the reverse fixture at Wembley, where the visitors’ historic 2-1 win helped put them in control of Group B2 heading into Thursday&rs...
Heimir Hallgrimsson has warned the Republic of Ireland they will need to be better than they were in Nations League victory over Finland if they want to qualify for the 2026 World Cup finals.Evan Ferguson’s header secured a 1-0 win over the Finns, who they beat 2-1 in Helsinki last month, to send Ireland into Sunday’s final League B2 fixture against England – 3-0 winners in Greec...
Interim boss Lee Carsley felt the 3-0 Nations League win over Greece showed England are “moving in the right direction”.Ollie Watkins justified his selection ahead of captain Harry Kane, who was dropped to the bench, with an early opener in Athens.Jude Bellingham’s shot went in off the post and Greece goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos before debutant Curtis Jones capped an impressi...
Evan Ferguson’s fourth senior international goal handed the Republic of Ireland a 1-0 Nations League victory over Finland as Caoimhin Kelleher saved a penalty to see them across the line.The 20-year-old Brighton striker’s header in the final minute of the first half proved sufficient to add three more points to those his side secured in the reverse fixture in Helsinki last month, but o...
England are on course for promotion back to the Nations League top tier after debutant Curtis Jones’ fantastic flick completed an impressive 3-0 victory in Greece as Thomas Tuchel watched from afar.The Football Association’s decision for its new manager to start in the new year raised eyebrows, just as interim Lee Carsley’s penultimate selection did for Thursday’s must-win ...
Manchester United are confident new head coach Ruben Amorim will receive his work permit well ahead of his first game in charge against Ipswich Town, a source has told ESPN.Amorim has been appointed as Erik ten Hag's successor at Old Trafford, but the 39-year-old is waiting for a visa which will allow him to formally start work.A United source said the process is "proceeding positively" and the cl...
The striker is currently on-loan with Real Betis after a difficult first six months with Barca, following his January arrival from Athletico Paranaense.But Cruyff remains convinced of Roque's talent and potential.He told Sport: "I've said it before very subtly, being a coach here is very complicated. You have to be patient, especially when you start a new project, when a new foreign boy comes."I a...
Real ready to raid Sporting CP for defensive reinforcementsReal Madrid are closely following three Sporting CP defenders—Goncalo Inacio, Ousmane Diomande, and Zeno Debast - as potential additions to their squad, Record reports. Madrid are exploring options to bolster their defence following Eder Militao's unfortunate season-ending ACL injury.Inacio, 23, and Diomande, 20, have each shown exce...
Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor was “not really happy” with the team’s performance following the 2-1 Champions League victory over Celtic at Parkhead.A much-changed Blues side came from behind, with Murphy Agnew’s 22nd-minute opener for the hosts – group stage debutants this term – being swiftly followed by goals from Maika Hamano and Ashley Lawrence.After Bompasto...
Chelsea’s 100 per cent start to their Champions League campaign continued as they came from behind to beat Celtic 2-1 at Parkhead.The hosts, group-stage debutants this season, took a shock lead in the 22nd minute when Murphy Agnew’s strike gave them their first ever goal in the competition proper.Much-changed Chelsea managed to quickly turn things around through goals from Maika Hamano...
- 1 Barnet draw a blank against Oldham
- 2 Kieran Trippier was seen with a group of party girls in a Newcastle bar
- 3 Jude Bellingham posts X-rated rant on Instagram
- 4 We never let them breathe – Grant McCann delight at Rovers’ second-half response
- 5 Graham Alexander rues first-half display as Bradford pay penalty at Fleetwood
- 6 Ryan Barnett nets winner as Wrexham edge past Mansfield
- 7 We could have won four games – Michael Duff frustrated with draw at Crawley
- 8 Tamworth score late equaliser to deny 10-man Ebbsfleet second win of season
- 9 Andy Carroll puts £8.5m mansion up for sale amid fury from ex-wife
- 10 Man City plan transfer swoop for LaLiga star