Germany 0-2 France Player Ratings: Kylian Mbappe Inspires Les Bleus To Clinch Third Place Finish In UEFA Nations League

France picked up a gritty 2-0 win over Germany in their UEFA Nations League third-place playoff clash on Sunday, 8 June 2025, at the MHPArena, Stuttgart. Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise's goals in either half helped Les Bleus clinch a third-place finish in the Nations League.

Germany dominated the majority of the first half, producing some slick attacking football. Nick Woltemade, Leon Goretzka, and Karim Adeyemi all had early efforts saved. The hosts seemingly won a penalty in the 32nd minute after Adeyemi went down inside the box. However, a VAR replay rescinded the penalty after spotting a simulation. France gained confidence from that and took the lead against the run of play in the 45+1 minute mark after Kylian Mbappe rifled a powerful shot into the back of the net.

France received another lifeline in the 55th minute as Deniz Undav's goal was cancelled because of an apparent foul on Adrien Rabiot leading up to it. The German players started draining of energy after that and threw everything forward in the hunt for a goal.

This allowed France to launch counterattacks at will. After having a few efforts denied, they scored the second goal in the 84th as Mbappe played Michael Olise to score into an empty net to seal the win for his side. Here are the Germany National Football Team Player Ratings vs France National Football Team Player Ratings.

Germany National Football Team Player Ratings

Goalkeeper

Marc-Andre ter Stegen - 6/10

The Barcelona goalkeeper cheaply allowed Mbappe's shot to graze past his fingertips. He did, although, make some superb saves to deny Mbappe and other forwards from scoring more.

Defenders

Joshua Kimmich - 6/10

An energetic and hard-working figure on the right, passing the ball well, and did relatively well to keep Thuram quiet. His passing was efficient, but Kimmich lacked the creative edge.

Jonathan Tah - 5/10

Tah was slightly uneasy with the pace of Mbappe. He was outwitted by France's quick attacks at times, but read moves well to make a few nice clearances. Caught lacking the second goal.

Robin Koch - 4.5/10

Koch was caught out of position at times on the France counter-attacks, and failed to stop Mbappe on either goal. Passed the ball around nicely and made a few crucial clearances.

David Raum - 6.5/10

A pretty industrious figure on the left, making key tackles and winning the majority of duels. Lacked creative threat and was booked for a clumsy foul.

Midfielders

Pascal Gross - 7/10

Gross did a pretty nice job in moving the ball forward, playing a range of impressive passes to drive his side forward. A bit shaky against the counter-attacks, but held himself well in the midfield.

Leon Goretzka - 5.5/10

Had a big early chance denied. Lacked usual aggressiveness and steel in midfield, losing duels and failing to add any creativity.

Florian Wirtz - 6.5/10

Wirtz struck the post in the first half after a nice move. He made a few nice forward runs and created several prominent chances with his clever final passes, only to go unrewarded.

Forwards

Nick Woltermade - 6.5/10

Woltermade was lively with his clever runs into the empty pockets. But he lacked that ruthlessness with his finishing, failing to score past Maignan.

Karim Adeyemi - 6/10

Adeyemi was a livewire with his blistering forward runs to trouble the defenders. Slipped into promising positions multiple times, but lacked that special final touch.

Niclas Fullkrug - 3/10

Fullkrug failed to add anything special for his side. Struggled to get into empty spaces and were neutralized by the defenders.

Substitutes

Deniz Undav - 6/10

Scored a slick goal after coming on, but unluckily saw it chalked off.

Maximilian Mittelstaedt - 5/10

Failed to add any creative threat.

Tom Bischof - 5.5/10

Failed to stop the counter-attacks.

Thilo Kehrer - 5/10

Struggled against France's pace.

Serge Gnabry - N/R

Unable to make much of an impact.

Manager

Julian Nagelsmann - 5/10

He was able to motivate the German players to show positive energy, but they were not efficient enough and drained off energy, causing France to survive the early threat and get the win.

France National Football Team Player Ratings

Goalkeeper

Mike Maignan - 7.5/10

Maignan was a sturdy figure, leaping up to the task in making several clutch reflex saves, denying the Germans' frenzy strongly. Moved the ball along nicely too.

Defenders

Malo Gusto - 7/10

Gusto was a pretty energetic presence, constantly running up and down the pitch. Outwitted by Wirtz at times, but held himself pretty well as the game progressed.

Loic Bade - 7.5/10

The Sevilla defender did an admirable job against the intensity of Germany's attacks. He made quite a few crucial clearances to frustrate the hosts and held together a strong defensive line.

Lucas Hernandez - 6.5/10

Hernandez was caught lapsing in concentration at times, as Germany's players went through on goal on his side. Improved as the game progressed to make a nice contribution.

Lucas Digne - 7/10

Digne did a pretty good job defensively to come up with some key challenges. Troubled by Adeyemi's pace at times, but held his own relatively well.

Midfielders

Aurélien Tchouaméni - 8/10

The Real Madrid midfielder was a highly industrious figure in the midfield, winning several key duels to shut down Germany's flow. Passed the ball well and played a great cross for Mbappe's goal.

Adrien Rabiot - 7/10

Rabiot was a bit sloppy with his passing, giving the ball away a few times. But he was energetic in winning a lot of duels and neutralizing the German midfielders' threat in the middle.

Rayan Cherki - 6.5/10

Cherki was a threatening figure with his clever forward runs and tricky movement. Created a few decent chances and saw some efforts saved well.

Forwards

Randal Kolo Muani - 5/10

Kolo Muani was a menacing figure on some counterattacks with his speedy runs. But his final touch was awry, as he failed to set up anything big.

Marcus Thuram - 5.5/10

Thuram had a quiet first half but improved as the game went on. Struck the post in the second half, but was not able to stamp his authority on the left wing.

Kylian Mbappe - 9/10

Scored his 50th international goal with a smashing finish. A menacing threat with his movement, as he had some shots denied, but set up Olise nicely for his goal.

Substitutes

Kouadio Kone - 6.5/10

Helped add more steel and physicality to his side.

Desire Doue - 6/10

He was a threat to with movement, and he had a few efforts ousted.

Michael Olise - 7.5/10

Scored a really easy goal into an open net.

Matteo Guendouzi - N/R

Manager

Didier Deschamps - 7.5/10

Deschamps was fortunate that his side survived the early onslaught. Shaped them up in a rigid fashion and had them be lethal on counterattacks to get the win.

Sportsdunia's Man of the Match goes to Kylian Mbappe.