Netherlands keep hopes alive with French win as Germany relegated

Dutch can now win Group 1 if they beat or draw with Germany away on Monday

Netherlands’ Georginio Wijnaldum (right) celebrates with team-mate  Memphis Depay after scoring in the  Uefa Nations League  match against  France at the Feijenoord stadium in Rotterdam. Photograph:  Emmanuel Dunand/AFP/Getty Images
Netherlands’ Georginio Wijnaldum (right) celebrates with team-mate Memphis Depay after scoring in the Uefa Nations League match against France at the Feijenoord stadium in Rotterdam. Photograph: Emmanuel Dunand/AFP/Getty Images

Netherlands 2 France 0

Georginio Wijnaldum blasted home from close range and Memphis Depay converted a last-gasp penalty to earn the Netherlands a 2-0 win over world champions France in Rotterdam on Friday and condemn Germany to relegation from their Nations League group.

Wijnaldum followed up after France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris made a fine stop from point-blank range just before half-time and Depay sealed the victory to give the Dutch a chance to win the group when they meet Germany in Gelsenkirchen on Monday.

Lloris stood between the Netherlands and a bigger winning margin with several key saves as he replicated his form from the World Cup but the Dutch got a second goal with the last kick of the match from Depay’s Panenka penalty.

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France, despite losing their first game since winning the World Cup, remained top of the Group One standings but have completed their campaign.