Denmark upset France, Netherlands and Croatia win in Nations League-Xinhua

Denmark upset France, Netherlands and Croatia win in Nations League

Source: Xinhua

Editor: huaxia

2022-09-26 09:12:00

BERLIN, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- World champions France lost 2-0 to Denmark, while the Netherlands and Croatia claimed victories over Belgium and Austria to secure UEFA Nations League semifinal spots.

France showed themselves to be out of shape just under two months before the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where Les Bleus will meet Denmark again in Group D.

Kasper Dolberg and Andreas Skov Olsen scored two goals in the first half as hosts Denmark deserved their victory. After the defeat, France sit behind Croatia and Denmark with only five points in Group 1 of League A.

Austria were relegated to League B after their 3-1 loss to Croatia. Real Madrid's Luka Modric put the Croatians ahead in Vienna after just six minutes. Christoph Baumgartner of Hoffenheim equalized three minutes later, but in the second half, strikes from Marko Livaja and Dejan Lovren sealed the win for Croatia.

In Group 4, Louis van Gaal's Netherlands secured first place with a 1-0 win over Belgium thanks to Virgil van Dijk's 73rd-minute goal. Wales will play in League B in the upcoming Nations League season after a 1-0 defeat against Poland.