France 2-1 Germany: Hits and Flops, UEFA Nations League 2018/19

Germany's hopes of making it to the knockouts rounds of Nations League effectively ended after an Antoine Griezmann-inspired France fought back to win 2-1 at Saint-Denis. The Atletico Madrid starlet struck twice after the break to wipe out Toni Kroos' penalty that had the visitors ahead in the first half.

A much-improved show during that spell suggested Die Mannschaft are finally finding their rhythm again, only for Les Blues to throw a spanner with a solid display in the second half and turn the tie around.

The defeat leaves Joachim Loew's side on the peril of an embarrassing relegation to League B, and also without a competitive win for four successive games now.

Let's discuss the hits and flops from the match:

Flop: Germany

Germany's misery continues

The 2014 World Cup winners are such a mangled mess right now that it's hard to pick out one or two players who're under-performing. This whole team has been utterly dysfunctional, and of course, massively disappointing in what has been an annus horribilis. And it has produced another result to forget.

Germany were actually showing signs of life with a gritty performance in the opening half, cutting the French side open with fast tempo and counter-attacks. Kroos even gave them an unlikely lead from the spot, though it wasn't a convincing effort in all honesty. However, once the hosts shifted gears, they had no answer. It was the same Germany that we're seeing for almost a year now: clueless, listless and absolutely spineless in the face of adversity.

France cut a swathe through with brisk passes and regaining dominion in the centre. It became evident that it's only a matter of time before they score, and the moment came to pass just after the hour mark. Germany were left ashen-faced, but they too knew this was coming.

Hit: Antoine Griezmann

Griezmann struck twice in the second-half

Germany's worst nightmare came back to haunt the daylights out of them as Griezmann struck another brace and turned the contest on its head. He was relatively quiet in the first half as France were pegged back in their own area for much of the opening 45 minutes, but stepped up to the plate after the interval to win it for his team.

The Atletico ace rose high enough to head Hernandez's cross for the equaliser, before tuting a lesson on nonchalance with the late penalty. We were in the final 10 minutes of the game, and Griezmann, calm and composed, sent Neuer the wrong way to slot home his second, completing the turnaround in dramatic fashion.

Interestingly, this was also his second brace against the Germans, having scored twice in the Euro 2016 semi-finals too. His overall tally for Les Blues has now gone up to 26, propelling him in the list of top 10 scorers in its history.

Flop: Germany's attack

Sane's inclusion failed to inspire the sordid German attack

One of the biggest problems with this German side is the painfully powerless attack. There's no structure, no plan, no organisation. Absolutely nothing. Just hook the ball upfront and hope someone magically buries it into the back of the net - that's how you can sum up their attacking play these days.

For the opening 45 minutes of this match, the visitors were on course to prove us wrong. Some beautiful counter-attacking moments had France on the ropes as goalkeeper Hugo Lloris had to intervene regularly. Sane especially, looked charged up for the clash and was the outlet of a majority of crosses in the final third. However, he lacked accuracy. He sometimes hit it too hard, while on other occasions, hit straight at a French frame.

Serge Gnabry offered little as this side's focal point in the attack while the less we speak about Timo Werner the better. The only goal they could muster was by the virtue of a penalty, and Kroos got really fortuitous with his feeble effort there. But that is still a reflection of how much this team currently lacks in confidence and also, more importantly, an attacking flair.

Hit: Kylian Mbappe

Mbappe was sparkling as always

No goals for Mbappe tonight, but the French boy wonder stamped his mark all over the game with another sizzling and spirited performance. His electric speed was once again the highlight as the 19-year old prodigy caused all sorts of problems to the German defence with it.

When on the ball, he's a bull in a china shop. And nothing can stand against him. Not least of all this German defence who's only method to deal with this menace was to foul him. Also, France's first effort on target in the second stanza came through him and won his side several corners and freekicks. Mbappe also had a hand in winning the penalty as he fed Matuidi with a defence-splitting pass before the Juventus midfielder was brought down.

Even when he isn't scoring, Mbappe is very conveniently influencing the game. Whether it's his breakneck speed or the eye-catching skills on the ball, this boy never fails to deliver and quietly put Germany to the sword with his preposterous talent.

Flop: Referees

VAR must be introduced in Nations League too

Besides Germany's performance, the only other thing that was erroneous was the referee's decisions during the key moments in the match that saw either side being the beneficiaries of a penalty each. But frankly, neither of them should've stood.

Firstly, Kimpembe's handling of the ball wasn't deliberate and he was already sliding into a tackle when Sane kicked it against his arm. A VAR review wouldn't have culminated such a close incident in a penalty. And secondly, Matuidi's stumble to the ground was more of a dive than anything. He made a meal out of a feather touch by Matts Hummels inside the area and the match official fell for it, immediately pointing to the spot.

Now here too, in case of a VAR, the referee could've seen it was theatrical and end up booking Matuidi for diving instead. But the questionable absence of the technology in the competition today led to two big calls going the wrong way. UEFA may want to install it before more such controversies in the knockout stages.