Reigning world champions France struggled to break down Ukraine and drew their second successive game of the international window. The Netherlands, meanwhile, smashed four goals past a hapless Montenegro.
World Champions France were held by Ukraine in their latest FIFA World Cup European qualifier. Les Bleus fell behind to Montenegro, just as they did three days ago against Bosnia and Herzegovina, but fought back to rescue a point. Divider Deschamps’ men retained the group’s top spot and remained in pole position to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Neither Kylian Mbappe nor Karim Benzema made the first team for the game. Instead, Kingsley Coman and Anthony Martial took their spots, respectively. Deschamps’ side started over the suspended Jules Kounde in defense while Lucas Digne played as the left-back.
Despite their star power, France fell behind to Ukraine just before half-time, courtesy of a stunning goal by Mykola Shaparenko. However, after the break, the world champions fought back and were level in the 50th minute when Martial poked the ball into the net.
With neither side unable to break the deadlock, the two managers had to be content with a draw. Despite their poor results of late, France remain top of their qualifying group with nine points from a possible fifteen.
Elsewhere, a Memphis Depay brace helped Louis Van Gaal secure his first win as the returning head coach of the Netherlands. Depay scored from the spot in the 38th minute and added another midway through the second half as the Oranje cruised to a comfortable win.
Georginio Wijnaldum also got his name on the scoresheet with a goal in the 70th minute, while PSV striker Cody Gakpo scored with a magnificent effort to seal a four-nil win for the Dutch.
Meanwhile, a late Marcelo Brozovic goal was enough to separate Croatia from Slovakia in their recent World Cup qualifier. Similarly, Jonas Wind scored five minutes from time to help Denmark secure a win in their game against the Faroe Islands.
