ELI JUNIOR KROUPI scored his first France goal as Les Bleus beat Türkiye 2-1 to secure a spot in the quarter-finals of the Uefa Nations League.
France needed a draw in their last Group A1 outing to make sure of their progress to the quarter-finals next March, and they went ahead just after half-time in Bordeaux via an Emirhan Topcu own goal.
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Bournemouth forward Kroupi (20) replaced Bradley Barcola just past the hour and made it 2-0 from a Rayan Cherki assist, before Abdulkerim Bardakci pulled one back for Türkiye at the death.
The result allowed Zinedine Zidane’s French side to bounce back from a 3-1 loss away to Italy on Thursday as they finished on top of their group with 13 points, one point ahead of Belgium.
The Belgians also progress into the quarter-finals after coming from behind to thrash Italy 4-1 in Brussels.
France, who won the Nations League in 2021, are therefore guaranteed to play a runner-up from one of the other groups in League A in the quarters, the draw for which will take place this coming Friday.
World Cup winners Spain are among their potential opponents in the last eight.
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France bounce back from Italy defeat to clinch Nations League quarters spot
France 2
Türkiye 1
ELI JUNIOR KROUPI scored his first France goal as Les Bleus beat Türkiye 2-1 to secure a spot in the quarter-finals of the Uefa Nations League.
France needed a draw in their last Group A1 outing to make sure of their progress to the quarter-finals next March, and they went ahead just after half-time in Bordeaux via an Emirhan Topcu own goal.
Bournemouth forward Kroupi (20) replaced Bradley Barcola just past the hour and made it 2-0 from a Rayan Cherki assist, before Abdulkerim Bardakci pulled one back for Türkiye at the death.
The result allowed Zinedine Zidane’s French side to bounce back from a 3-1 loss away to Italy on Thursday as they finished on top of their group with 13 points, one point ahead of Belgium.
The Belgians also progress into the quarter-finals after coming from behind to thrash Italy 4-1 in Brussels.
France, who won the Nations League in 2021, are therefore guaranteed to play a runner-up from one of the other groups in League A in the quarters, the draw for which will take place this coming Friday.
World Cup winners Spain are among their potential opponents in the last eight.
– © AFP 2026
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