Few fixtures in European football carry the weight of history, prestige and pure intensity quite like France vs Germany. From the iconic World Cup clashes of the 1980s to the European Championship battles of the modern era, this rivalry has delivered unforgettable moments that have shaped the continent’s footballing identity. On Sunday, June 8, 2025, this storied rivalry was renewed once more on German soil, this time in the third-place playoff of the UEFA Nations League Finals at the MHP Arena in Stuttgart.
Both teams arrived in Stuttgart carrying the frustration of semifinal defeats. Germany, buoyed by home support, had been eliminated by Portugal in a tight 2-1 loss, while France had exited in breathtaking fashion, losing a nine-goal thriller 5-4 against Spain. Neither side wanted to leave the tournament empty-handed, and the France National Football Team Vs Germany National Football Team Lineups reflected that determination, with both managers selecting strong starting elevens despite the third-place nature of the match.
What unfolded was a competitive, tactically fascinating encounter that ended in France’s favour. Kylian Mbappe, wearing the captain’s armband, produced a moment of individual brilliance just before halftime to score his milestone 50th international goal, and Michael Olise added a second late on to secure a comfortable 2-0 win and a bronze medal for Les Bleus.
Disclaimer: All match details, statistics, lineups, and events are based on publicly available sources at the time of writing and may be subject to updates or corrections. This content is for informational purposes only and is not affiliated with any official football organization, league, or governing body.
Match Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Competition | UEFA Nations League 2024/25 Finals – Third-Place Playoff |
| Date | Sunday, June 8, 2025 |
| Kickoff Time | 2:00 PM local / 13:00 UTC |
| Venue | MHP Arena, Stuttgart, Germany |
| Attendance | 51,313 |
| Referee | Ivan Kruzliak |
| Final Score | Germany 0-2 France |
| Half-Time Score | Germany 0-1 France |
| Tournament Round | Third-Place Playoff |
| Broadcast | Sky Sports, ESPN, BeIN Sports, TF1, ARD |
France National Football Team Vs Germany National Football Team Lineups
The official France National Football Team Vs Germany National Football Team Lineups were confirmed ahead of kickoff, with both coaches fielding their strongest available squads. France were without Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola, who had withdrawn from the squad earlier in the week, but Didier Deschamps still had elite talent across every line. Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann opted for a balanced 4-2-3-1 structure with Marc-Andre ter Stegen between the sticks.
Germany Starting Lineup (4-2-3-1)
| Position | Number | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| GK | 1 | Marc-Andre ter Stegen | FC Barcelona |
| RB | 6 | Joshua Kimmich (C) | Bayern Munich |
| CB | 3 | Robin Koch | Eintracht Frankfurt |
| CB | 4 | Jonathan Tah | Bayer Leverkusen |
| LB | 22 | David Raum | RB Leipzig |
| CM | 5 | Pascal Gross | Brighton & Hove Albion |
| CM | 8 | Leon Goretzka | Bayern Munich |
| RM | 14 | Karim Adeyemi | Borussia Dortmund |
| AM | 17 | Florian Wirtz | Bayer Leverkusen |
| LM | N/A | Nick Woltemade | VfB Stuttgart |
| ST | 9 | Niclas Fullkrug | West Ham United |
Germany Substitutes
| Number | Player | Club | Came On | Replaced |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Deniz Undav | VfB Stuttgart | 45′ | Nick Woltemade |
| 18 | Maximilian Mittelstädt | VfB Stuttgart | 65′ | David Raum |
| 26 | Tom Bischof | TSG Hoffenheim | 65′ | Leon Goretzka |
| 15 | Thilo Kehrer | AS Monaco | 73′ | Pascal Groß |
| 20 | Serge Gnabry | Bayern Munich | 78′ | Karim Adeyemi |
| 12 | Oliver Baumann | TSG Hoffenheim | Did not play | N/A |
France Starting Lineup (4-2-3-1)
| Position | Number | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| GK | 16 | Mike Maignan | AC Milan |
| RB | 2 | Malo Gusto | Chelsea |
| CB | N/A | Loic Bade | Sevilla FC |
| CB | 21 | Lucas Hernandez | Paris Saint-Germain |
| LB | 3 | Lucas Digne | Aston Villa |
| CDM | 8 | Aurelien Tchouameni | Real Madrid |
| CDM | 14 | Adrien Rabiot | Marseille |
| RW | 9 | Randal Kolo Muani | Paris Saint-Germain |
| AM | N/A | Rayan Cherki | Olympique Lyonnais |
| LW | 11 | Marcus Thuram | Inter Milan |
| ST/CF | 10 | Kylian Mbappe (C) | Real Madrid |
France Substitutes
| Number | Player | Club | Came On | Replaced |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Michael Olise | Bayern Munich | 69′ | Rayan Cherki |
| 24 | Désiré Doué | Paris Saint-Germain | 69′ | Randal Kolo Muani |
| 13 | Manu Koné | AS Roma | 69′ | Aurélien Tchouaméni |
| 6 | Matteo Guendouzi | Lazio | 90′ | Marcus Thuram |
| 1 | Brice Samba | RC Lens | Did not play | N/A |
| 22 | Theo Hernández | AC Milan | Did not play | N/A |
| 23 | Lucas Chevalier | Lille | Did not play | N/A |
| 19 | Pierre Kalulu | Juventus | Did not play | N/A |
| 15 | Ibrahima Konaté | Liverpool | Did not play | N/A |
| 2 | Benjamin Pavard | Inter Milan | Did not play | N/A |
Match Events: Minute-by-Minute Key Moments
The Germany National Football Team Vs France National Football Team Lineups set the stage for an absorbing contest from the opening whistle, with Germany pressing high and France looking to exploit space on the counter.
| Minute | Event | Team | Player | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | Yellow Card | France | Lucas Digne | Foul on Karim Adeyemi |
| 29 | Yellow Card | Germany | David Raum | Professional foul |
| 35 | Substitution | Germany | Deniz Undav on | N/A (HT) |
| 45 | Substitution | Germany | Deniz Undav on | Nick Woltemade off |
| 45+1 | GOAL | France | Kylian Mbappe | Controlled finish, 50th international goal |
| 55 | Goal Disallowed | Germany | Deniz Undav | Ruled out by VAR review |
| 61 | Yellow Card | Germany | Jonathan Tah | Foul |
| 65 | Substitution | Germany | Serge Gnabry on | Karim Adeyemi off |
| 65 | Substitution | Germany | Robin Gosens on | Leon Goretzka off |
| 65 | Yellow Card | France | Lucas Hernandez | Tactical foul |
| 69 | Substitution | France | Michael Olise on | Rayan Cherki off |
| 69 | Substitution | France | Desire Doue on | Randal Kolo Muani off |
| 73 | Substitution | Germany | Thomas Bischof on | Pascal Gross off |
| 78 | Penalty Cancelled | Germany | Karim Adeyemi | Awarded then revoked (simulation) |
| 78 | Substitution | France | Matteo Guendouzi on | Adrien Rabiot off |
| 79 | Yellow Card | Germany | Karim Adeyemi | Simulation |
| 84 | GOAL | France | Michael Olise | Assist: Kylian Mbappe |
| 90 | Substitution | France | Theo Hernandez on | Lucas Digne off |
| 90 | Full Time | N/A | N/A | Germany 0-2 France |
Match Statistics
The Germany National Football Team Vs France National Football Team statistical breakdown tells the full story of a match where Germany had more of the ball but France were far more clinical in front of goal.
| Statistic | Germany | France |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 56% | 44% |
| Total Shots | 20 | 16 |
| Shots on Target | 6 | 9 |
| Shots off Target | 7 | 5 |
| Shots Blocked | 7 | 2 |
| Shots Inside Box | 12 | 16 |
| Shots Outside Box | 4 | 3 |
| Goals | 0 | 2 |
| xG (Expected Goals) | 1.4 | 1.9 |
| Passes | 485 | 390 |
| Tackles | 18 | 17 |
| Corner Kicks | 9 | 6 |
| Fouls Committed | 11 | 7 |
| Offsides | 4 | 1 |
| Yellow Cards | 3 | 2 |
| Red Cards | 0 | 0 |
| Saves | 7 | 6 |
| Clearances | 20 | 27 |
| Crosses | 32 | 12 |
| Successful Crosses | 6 | 4 |
Player Ratings
Germany Player Ratings
| Player | Position | Rating (out of 10) | Key Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marc-Andre ter Stegen | GK | 7.0 | 6 saves, kept Germany in the game first half |
| Joshua Kimmich | RB | 6.5 | Solid distribution, 9 corners won |
| Robin Koch | CB | 6.0 | Dealt with Mbappe reasonably well |
| Jonathan Tah | CB | 5.5 | Yellow card, struggled with pace |
| David Raum | LB | 5.5 | Yellow card early, limited going forward |
| Pascal Gross | CM | 6.0 | Controlled midfield but subbed off |
| Leon Goretzka | CM | 6.0 | Industry and work rate all half |
| Karim Adeyemi | RM | 5.5 | 4 shots, yellow card for simulation |
| Florian Wirtz | AM | 7.0 | Best German player, creative threat throughout |
| Nick Woltemade | LM | 5.5 | Limited impact, subbed at halftime |
| Niclas Fullkrug | ST | 6.0 | 4 shots, led the line well but no goal |
| Deniz Undav | ST (Sub) | 6.0 | Goal correctly disallowed by VAR |
| Serge Gnabry | RM (Sub) | 5.5 | Could not change the game |
France Player Ratings
| Player | Position | Rating (out of 10) | Key Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Maignan | GK | 7.0 | 7 saves, commanding performance |
| Malo Gusto | RB | 7.0 | 3 tackles, excellent all round |
| Loic Bade | CB | 7.0 | Aerial dominance, solid at the back |
| Lucas Hernandez | CB | 6.5 | Yellow card but strong defensively |
| Lucas Digne | LB | 6.5 | Yellow card, overlapping runs |
| Aurelien Tchouameni | CDM | 7.5 | 3 tackles, controlled the midfield battle |
| Adrien Rabiot | CDM | 7.0 | Break-up play, smart positioning |
| Randal Kolo Muani | RW | 6.5 | Pressing and link-up play, worked hard |
| Rayan Cherki | AM | 7.0 | Bright and inventive before being subbed |
| Marcus Thuram | LW | 6.5 | Hit the upright, constant danger |
| Kylian Mbappe | ST/CF | 9.0 | 6 shots, 1 goal, 1 assist, historic 50th goal |
| Michael Olise | RW (Sub) | 8.0 | Decisive goal on 84 minutes, clinical |
| Desire Doue | LW (Sub) | 7.0 | Energetic impact from the bench |
Tactical Analysis
Germany’s Approach: Possession Without Penetration
Julian Nagelsmann set Germany up in their familiar 4-2-3-1, with Florian Wirtz playing as the number 10 and Karim Adeyemi and Nick Woltemade providing wide threat. The hosts dominated possession at 56%, relying on Joshua Kimmich to dictate rhythm from right-back and Wirtz to unlock the French defence. Germany had the most shots in the match with 20, but only 6 found the target, a reflection of poor finishing and the organisational excellence of France’s back line.
The hosts tried to press high in the first half but found France’s midfield pivot of Tchouameni and Rabiot difficult to bypass. Germany’s attacking play was largely predictable, with 32 crosses attempted, of which only 6 were successful. The wide deliveries were comfortably mopped up by Loic Bade and Lucas Hernandez. The halftime substitution of Woltemade for Undav showed Nagelsmann’s intent to add a more direct option, but the plan was undone almost immediately when Mbappe struck on the stroke of halftime.
France’s Approach: Compact, Clinical and Counter-Attacking
Didier Deschamps deployed a 4-2-3-1 that was designed to absorb German pressure and punish transitions. With Tchouameni screening brilliantly and Mbappe leading the press from the front, France looked dangerous every time they won the ball in their own half. Having only 44% possession, France registered 9 shots on target compared to Germany’s 6, a testament to the superior quality of their chances.
The key to France’s tactical success was the width provided by Marcus Thuram on the left and Randal Kolo Muani on the right, both of whom stretched Germany’s full-backs and created lanes for Mbappe and Cherki to exploit centrally. The introduction of Michael Olise and Desire Doue on 69 minutes injected fresh legs and creativity, and it was Olise who applied the finishing touch in the 84th minute from Mbappe’s square pass.
Key Players Spotlight
Kylian Mbappe (France) – Match Rating: 9.0
The French captain was the defining figure of the Germany National Football Team Vs France National Football Team encounter. With six shots in the match and three on target, Mbappe was Germany’s biggest nightmare throughout. His 45+1 minute goal was a moment of pure class: he received the ball with his back to goal, spun away from his marker and drove a precise low finish into the corner of ter Stegen’s net. The goal was his 50th international goal for France, making him one of the most prolific scorers in Les Bleus history. He capped his performance with the assist for Olise’s late goal.
Michael Olise (France) – Match Rating: 8.0
Introduced as a substitute in the 69th minute, Michael Olise transformed the second half for France with his directness and incisiveness. His goal on 84 minutes put the result beyond doubt, arriving at the back post to convert Mbappe’s low cut-back with a composed finish. Olise had already been in brilliant form for Bayern Munich and his Nations League display further cemented his status as one of Europe’s most exciting wide forwards.
Florian Wirtz (Germany) – Match Rating: 7.0
Wirtz was Germany’s brightest performer in a difficult afternoon for the hosts. The Bayer Leverkusen playmaker buzzed between lines and created several half-chances for Fullkrug and Adeyemi. However, despite his technical quality, he was unable to find the killer pass that Germany desperately needed to unlock a well-drilled French defensive structure.
Aurelien Tchouameni (France) – Match Rating: 7.5
The Real Madrid midfielder was quietly brilliant. His positional discipline and three key tackles in midfield allowed France to limit Germany’s transitions and maintain compactness. He also played a significant role in winning the ball that led to the build-up of France’s first goal.
Head-to-Head Record: Germany Vs France
| Stat | Total |
|---|---|
| Total Meetings | 34 |
| Germany Wins | 14 |
| France Wins | 12 |
| Draws | 8 |
| Germany Goals Scored (All Time) | 59 |
| France Goals Scored (All Time) | 54 |
Recent Head-to-Head Results (Last 5 Meetings)
| Date | Competition | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 8, 2025 | UEFA Nations League (3rd/4th Playoff) | Stuttgart | Germany 0-2 France |
| March 23, 2024 | International Friendly | Lyon | France 0-2 Germany |
| September 12, 2023 | UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifying | Dortmund | Germany 2-1 France |
| June 7, 2022 | UEFA Nations League Group A | Munich | Germany 1-2 France |
| October 16, 2018 | UEFA Nations League Group A | Paris | France 2-1 Germany |
Germany’s overall H2H record sits at 4 wins, 5 losses and 2 draws in the most recent 11 encounters, demonstrating France’s growing edge in modern fixtures between these two nations.
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Recent Form Heading Into the Match
Germany Recent Form (Last 5 Matches)
| Date | Opposition | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 8, 2025 | France | UEFA Nations League (3rd/4th) | L 0-2 |
| June 5, 2025 | Portugal | UEFA Nations League (Semi-Final) | L 1-2 |
| March 2025 | Italy | International Friendly | W 2-1 |
| March 2025 | Netherlands | International Friendly | D 1-1 |
| November 2024 | Bosnia | UEFA Nations League Group A | W 7-0 |
France Recent Form (Last 5 Matches)
| Date | Opposition | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 8, 2025 | Germany | UEFA Nations League (3rd/4th) | W 2-0 |
| June 5, 2025 | Spain | UEFA Nations League (Semi-Final) | L 4-5 |
| March 2025 | Croatia | International Friendly | W 2-0 |
| March 2025 | England | International Friendly | W 3-1 |
| November 2024 | Israel | UEFA Nations League Group A | W 4-0 |
Squad Depth Comparison
Germany Squad Depth Assessment
| Position | Starter | Backup Option | Depth Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Marc-André ter Stegen | Oliver Baumann | Strong |
| Right Back | Joshua Kimmich | Thilo Kehrer | Strong |
| Centre Back | Jonathan Tah / Robin Koch | Waldemar Anton | Solid |
| Left Back | David Raum | Robin Gosens / Maximilian Mittelstädt | Deep |
| Central Midfield | Pascal Groß / Leon Goretzka | Tom Bischof | Moderate |
| Attacking Midfield | Florian Wirtz | Jamal Musiala | World Class |
| Wide Forward | Karim Adeyemi / Serge Gnabry | Leroy Sané | Excellent |
| Striker | Niclas Füllkrug | Deniz Undav / Nick Woltemade | Strong |
France Squad Depth Assessment
| Position | Starter | Backup Option | Depth Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Mike Maignan | Brice Samba / Alphonse Areola | World Class |
| Right Back | Malo Gusto | Benjamin Pavard | Strong |
| Centre Back | Loïc Badé / Lucas Hernández | Ibrahima Konaté / Pierre Kalulu | Excellent |
| Left Back | Lucas Digne | Theo Hernández | Excellent |
| Central Midfield | Aurélien Tchouaméni / Adrien Rabiot | Manu Koné / Matteo Guendouzi | Deep |
| Attacking Midfield | Rayan Cherki | Désiré Doué | World Class |
| Wide Forward | Marcus Thuram / Randal Kolo Muani | Michael Olise | Outstanding |
| Striker | Kylian Mbappé | Marcus Thuram | Generational |
France’s squad depth edges Germany’s in virtually every department, particularly in attack, where the options from the bench such as Olise and Doue can impact games at the highest level, as demonstrated in this very match.
Where To Watch Germany National Football Team Vs France National Football Team
The question of where to watch Germany National Football Team Vs France National Football Team is relevant not just for this match but for future fixtures between these two nations. For the UEFA Nations League 2025 Finals, the confirmed broadcasters by region were as follows:
| Region | Broadcaster | Platform |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Sky Sports Football | TV and Sky Go App |
| United States | Fox Sports / FS1 | TV and Fox Sports App |
| France | TF1 / beIN Sports | TV and Streaming |
| Germany | ARD / ZDF | Free-to-air TV |
| India | Sony Sports Network | TV and SonyLIV App |
| Australia | Optus Sport | Streaming |
| Spain | DAZN | Streaming |
| Global | UEFA.tv (highlights only) | Online |
For future Germany vs France fixtures, including UEFA Nations League and 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, fans can check each broadcaster’s scheduling pages for live streaming and TV listings closer to the event date.
Tournament Implications and World Cup 2026 Context
Although the Germany vs France clash was a third-place playoff rather than a championship final, the implications for both nations extend well beyond a bronze medal. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico on the horizon, every elite-level tournament serves as a crucial testing and preparation ground for competing nations.
For France, finishing third in the UEFA Nations League was a respectable outcome after a rollercoaster campaign. The emergence of Rayan Cherki as a consistent starter, combined with the mature leadership of Mbappe and the tactical flexibility shown by Deschamps, bodes well for the World Cup. France are widely regarded as one of the top favorites for the 2026 tournament, and their 2-0 win over Germany reinforced that standing.
For Germany, the Nations League campaign ended in disappointment on home soil. Having been knocked out by Portugal in the semi-final and then beaten by France in the third-place match, Julian Nagelsmann will need to address finishing and tactical flexibility before the World Cup. Germany have qualified automatically as hosts… wait, Germany are not 2026 hosts. They will qualify through UEFA, and with a core of exciting young talent like Wirtz and Adeyemi, the foundations are in place to compete.
The France National Football Team Vs Germany National Football Team Lineups confirmed for this playoff showed that both nations have enormous quality in their squads and remain genuine World Cup contenders. Expect both teams to be among the standout performers at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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Conclusion
The UEFA Nations League third-place playoff on June 8, 2025 produced a compelling chapter in the France vs Germany rivalry. France’s 2-0 victory, built on Kylian Mbappe’s historic 50th international goal and a late strike from the impressive Michael Olise, was a thoroughly deserved result that reflected the difference in clinical quality between the two sides on the day.
The official France National Football Team Vs Germany National Football Team Lineups showed two nations deploying their best available talent, and the match delivered exactly what fans had hoped for: intensity, skill, and moments of genuine quality. Germany, for all their possession and effort, lacked the cutting edge to test Maignan consistently, while France were devastating on the counter-attack.
As both nations shift their focus towards qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, this Nations League match will be remembered as a defining moment for France’s collective confidence and Mbappe’s individual legacy. The France National Football Team Vs Germany National Football Team rivalry is very much alive, and football fans around the world will be eagerly anticipating the next chapter.
? Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What was the final score of Germany vs France in the UEFA Nations League 2025?
France won 2-0 with goals from Kylian Mbappe (45+1′) and Michael Olise (84′).
Q2. Where was the Germany vs France UEFA Nations League match played?
The match was played at MHP Arena in Stuttgart, Germany, with an attendance of 51,313.
Q3. What were the official France National Football Team Vs Germany National Football Team Lineups?
Germany started in a 4-2-3-1 with ter Stegen, Kimmich, Koch, Tah, Raum, Gross, Goretzka, Adeyemi, Wirtz, Woltemade, Fullkrug. France lined up: Maignan, Gusto, Bade, L. Hernandez, Digne, Tchouameni, Rabiot, Kolo Muani, Cherki, Thuram, Mbappe.
Q4. Who scored for France against Germany?
Kylian Mbappe scored in the 45+1 minute and Michael Olise added the second in the 84th minute.
Q5. Was it Mbappe’s 50th international goal?
Yes, Mbappe’s goal in the 45+1 minute was his 50th goal for the French national team.
Q6. Were there any red cards in Germany vs France?
No red cards were issued. Germany received 3 yellow cards and France received 2.
Q7. Who was the referee for Germany vs France on June 8, 2025?
Slovak referee Ivan Kruzliak officiated the match.
Q8. What formation did France use against Germany?
France deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation under manager Didier Deschamps.
