Nations League: MbappÃ©'s goal gives France 1-0 win at Sweden

Posted September 05, 2020 7:00 am

The Associated Press

France's Kylian Mbappe, right, scores a goal, and to the left, Sweden's Sebastian Larsson, in action during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Sweden and France at Friends Arena, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in Stockholm, Sweden. (Christine Olsson/TT via AP) The Associated Press

STOCKHOLM (AP) - Kylian MbappÃ© scored the winning goal as France earned a scrappy 1-0 win at Sweden in the Nations League on Saturday.

The Paris Saint-Germain striker's 14th international goal came in the 41st minute but it could have been more comfortable for France, only for Antoine Griezmann to fluff a penalty right at the end. It was Griezmann's third straight penalty miss for France.

MbappÃ© cut in from the left and, after initially being tackled, he got the ball back off Kristoffer Olsson, feinted, and then curled the ball inside the post.

'œIt was a tough match and we fought hard. It wasn't easy ... it could be better in the future," MbappÃ© said. "The most important thing is the result."

It was an accomplished finish from MbappÃ©, following his glaring missed chance in the 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League final on Aug. 23.

France coach Didier Deschamps handed a debut to 21-year-old Leipzig center half Dayot Upamecano and recalled Adrien Rabiot to midfield, after a long spell out of the side following his refusal to be on the reserve list for the 2018 World Cup.

Chances were scarce in the first half but veteran Sweden striker Marcus Berg almost broke through late on, only for France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris to deny him by rushing off his line. Moments later, Sweden 'keeper Robin Olsen was picking the ball out of the net.

'œIt was difficult for us, but for them as well,'ť Deschamps said. 'œWe could have done a bit better going forward.'ť

Still, France was in control of the second half, with MbappÃ© and Barcelona's Griezmann wasting good chances before Lloris punched away a late effort from the lively Emil Forsberg.

Griezmann then blazed a poor penalty over the bar after substitute Anthony Martial was fouled.

France hosts Croatia at Stade de France on Tuesday in a repeat of the World Cup final two years ago, which France won 4-2 with MbappÃ© among the scorers.

In the group's other game, Croatia lost 4-1 at defending Nations League champion Portugal.

Portugal hit the post three times before JoÃ£o Cancelo's opener shortly before the break.

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France's Kylian Mbappe, 10, is congratulated by his teammates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Sweden and France at Friends Arena, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in Stockholm, Sweden. (Christine Olsson/TT via AP) The Associated Press

France's line-up pose for a team photo ahead of the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Sweden and France at Friends Arena, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in Stockholm, Sweden. Top left: Adrien Rabiot, Dayot Upamecano, Raphael Varane, goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, and Olivier Giroud. Front left: Leo Dubois, Antoine Griezmann, N'Golo Kante, Lucas Digne, Kylian Mbappe and Presnel Kimpembe. (Simon Morcel/Bildbyran/TT via AP, Pool) The Associated Press

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