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.
Team AnalysisVietnam The two-legged finals include home and away games. Vietnam will be at home first, and they hope to grab the advantage in goal difference, with strong morale.Vietnamese naturalized forward Nguyen Xuan Son scored twice in the last game. He made his first cap for Vietnam in this ASEAN Championship, giving 5 goals and 2 assists in his three starting games so far, and he is leading...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Epl week 19 LOL When you spot it Show yourselves. Next match: Supercoppa Italiana Semi-Final: Juventus FC vs AC Milan. Cristiano Ronaldo has Scored 97 GOALS since the start of 2023! Bro Traveled with his Mom all the way from Mongolia to Old Trafford.. ... only to watch Manchester United drop another stinker and lose again. Gotta feel for him and all the Manchest...
Amorim admits Man Utd will NOT have money to spend in JanuaryRuben Amorim has revealed Manchester United will not have money to spend in the January transfer window despite the need for new signings.Speaking candidly to reporters on Monday night about the possibility of January transfers, Amorim stated, "We don't have that possibility in January. You know the situation better than I [do]. It's not...
Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold has been called out by Jamie Carragher after claiming he encouraged Real Madrid to submit a bid for him in January.The Reds have reportedly turned down an attempt from Real Madrid to secure the services of the right-back in the January transfer window.Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold has been called out by Jamie CarragherAlexander-Arnold will be free to n...
Man United star Antony could leave the Premier League club during the January transfer window, and the winger may be offered a way out by a La Liga team. The agent of Antony admitted that several clubs have made approaches for the Brazilian ahead of the January window as the 24-year-old looks for a way out of Old Trafford having fallen out of favour in Manchester.Ruben Amorim vowed to help Antony ...
Barcelona could lose Dani Olmo for the second half of the season after LaLiga said the Catalan club are not in a position to extend the Spain international's registration ahead of Tuesday's deadline.Olmo, 26, joined Barca in the summer and was granted a temporary registration until Dec. 31, giving Barca time to comply with the league's financial fair play rules and prolong his registration until t...
Newcastle's Trippier to be sold in JanuaryNewcastle United could sell Kieran Trippier with a January move abroad on the cards, three years after he first joined the club.Williams and Isak headline Arsenal shortlistNico Williams and Alexander Isak are both under consideration as Arsenal aim to sign a wide forward in January.Could Spurs cancel Werner's loan?Tottenham could cancel Timo Werner's loan ...
Team AnalysisBrentfordBrentford scored 12 goals in the last 5 home games with a great offense.Brentford ended 3 of the last 4 games with UNDER. The percentage of UNDER has rebounded.Brentford are seriously hit by injuries so far. Major goalkeeper Mark Flekken and defender Ben Mee are doubtful with injuries, while Sepp van den Berg and Ethan Pinnock are unavailable with injuries.Brentford drew 0-0 ...
Christopher Nkunku and Mikel Arteta (Photo by Alex Grimm, Julian Finney/Getty Images)Christopher Nkunku remains eager to leave Chelsea in the forthcoming January transfer window, sources have told CaughtOffside.The French attacker has been delegated a role in the club’s ‘B Team’ this campaign, leaving him frustrated. He has only featured in 326 minutes of Premier League action so...
Martin Zubimendi with the Spain national team.The 2024/25 campaign has not gone to plan for Man City and in order to salvage what they can of the season, the Premier League champions are looking to bring Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi to the Etihad. Pep Guardiola is currently facing a crisis that he has never experienced before in his managerial career as the Spaniard’s team sit fift...
