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| Kylian Mbappe of France is challenged by Maximilian Woeber and Xaver Schlager of Austria during the UEFA Nations League – League A Group 1 match between Austria and France at Ernst Happel Stadion on June 10, 2022 in Vienna, Austria. |
Kylian Mbappe rescued France a point in Austria as
the world champions remain winless in the Nations League.
Mbappe, on as a second-half substitute, finished
smartly after a lightning break from the visitors led to the equaliser on 83
minutes.
Bristol City striker Andreas Weimann had earlier
scored his first international goal, aged 30, to threaten an upset.
France have just two points from three Group A1
games.
It could have been worse, after Weimann, who scored
22 Championship goals this season, turned home a low cross before the break.
Karim Benzema went close for France either side of
the break but it took Mbappe’s introduction to finally break the resistance of
Ralf Rangnick’s Austria.
The Paris St-Germain striker combined with RB
Leipzig’s Christopher Nkunku to convert the equaliser just when it looked as
though their pressure would not pay off.
Mbappe was denied a winner by Austrian goalkeeper
Patrick Pentz, who also brilliantly kept out Matteo Guendouzi’s late header.
France still have a mountain to climb to reach next
year’s Nations League finals having previously thrown away two leads in five
days, in a loss to Denmark and draw with Croatia.
Elsewhere in the group, Croatia got their first win
of the campaign, winning 1-0 at group leaders Denmark.
Mario Pasalic poked home to break the deadlock and
move Croatia level on points with second-placed Austria, two points behind
Denmark.
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