Germany 0 France 0: Uefa Nations League tie ends in stalemate as Alphonse Areola stars in Munich

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Tom Doyle6 September 2018

World champions France held out for a goalless draw in their opening Uefa Nations League match as stand-in goalkeeper Alphonse Areola kept Germany at bay in Munich.

Didier Deschamps' side were in competitive action for the first time since their World Cup triumph in Russia this summer, while Germany were back in front of their home fans with a point to prove.

Joachim Low's men endured a torrid World Cup as the 2014 champions exited at the group stages this time round, and Die Nationalmannschaft started brightly at the Allianz Arena.

Germany looked confident on the ball, but lacked killer instinct as Les Bleus defended well in numbers before looking to counter - a tactic which worked to perfection in Russia.

AFP/Getty Images

Benjamin Pavard suffered a nasty-looking injury as he clashed with Antonio Rudiger early on, with the Chelsea defender's studs leaving cuts on the French full-back's neck.

Bongarts/Getty Images

Olivier Giroud had the best two chances of the half, forcing Manuel Neuer into a sprawling save with a header before seeing a cute effort from an acute angle roll across goal on the stroke of half-time.

France opened up a little in the second half N'Golo Kante repeatedly made interceptions in a bid to start counter-attacks, and Antoine Griezmann forced a good stop from Neuer with a rising effort from range after 65 minutes.

REUTERS

Germany immediately went up the other end and should have gone ahead, but Areola - starting in placed of injured France captain Hugo Lloris - made a brilliant fingertip stop to brush the ball wide of his right-hand post.

Areola then turned an overhit Muller cross over his bar before making a world-class save from Matthias Ginter, flicking a goal-bound header away with a great reaction stop with his right hand.

AFP/Getty Images

France held on for a Uefa Nations League point thanks to their keeper, and Deschamps will no doubt be reminding Les Bleus that a World Cup is no guarantee of future success - as Germany know all too well.

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