Between the two neighbouring countries of France and Germany, there are six FIFA World Cups, proving that they are among the footballing elite. And the Germany National Football Team vs France National Football Team lineups have always given us some brilliant games over the years.
While Germany have four titles to their names, Les Bleus have had more success in recent times with one win and an appearance in perhaps the greatest World Cup final ever where they lost to Lionel Messi.
Combining the Euros and the World Cup, Germany National Football Team vs France National Football Team lineups have played six times, with both sides boasting three wins each. On one occasion, it was the winner of this clash that went on to win the World Cup.
So, without further ado, here are the six times that Germany National Football Team vs France National Football Team lineups have faced each other.
1958 FIFA World Cup, France 6-3 West Germany
The first time the two teams faced each other was in the 1958 FIFA World Cup, where West Germany was the defending champions while France had the most deadly World Cup striker in Just Fontaine. However, both had lost their semi-final clash and played for third place. And at the famous Nya Ullevi Stadium, Just Fontaine tore the German defence to shreds, scoring four goals.
Germany tried to counter this by going on the offensive themselves, scoring three goals. However, Fontaine ensured that it was a one-sided contest by the end of it. It would be 24 years before these two teams would meet again in a game that is still remembered for all the wrong reasons.
1982 FIFA World Cup: West Germany 3(5)-3(4) France
The next time the Germany National Football Team vs France National Football Team lineups met was in the 1982 FIFA World Cup semi-final. With a place in the final at stake, both teams were giving it all. In the second half, French defender Patrick Battiston went to challenge for a loose ball inside the German goal. However, German goalkeeper Harald Schumacher also went for the ball and clashed with Battiston. The impact was so intense that Battiston went into a coma on the pitch. This incidents is still regarded as one of FIFA World Cup top controversies.
The game would go on to penalties, where the Germans triumphed 5-4.
1986 FIFA World Cup, France 0-2 West Germany
Their next meeting came just four years later, again in the 1986 FIFA World Cup. The meeting of the previous World Cup incident was still fresh in the Germany National Football Team vs France National Football Team lineups
However, the game was far more one-sided than the last encounter as the rampant German, efficiently with left-back Andreas Brehme, opened the scoring in the ninth minute.
Rudi Voller added the second in the 89th minute to put the game beyond France’s reach.
France went on to win their third-place play-off, while West Germany lost to Diego Maradona’s Argentina.
Argentina National Football Team Vs France National Football Team Timeline
2014 FIFA World Cup, France 0-1 Germany
The two teams would have to wait 24 years before their subsequent encounter, which came in Brazil’s 2014 FIFA World Cup. With a place in the semi-final at stake, Germany started the game on the front foot and got the lead after a smart header from centre-back Matt Hummels.
It was the game’s only goal as both teams massively struggled to play fluently. Germany would beat Brazil 7-1 in the semi-final before defeating Argentina 1-0 in the final courtesy of an extra-time goal from Mario Gotze.
2016 UEFA Euro, Germany 0-2 France
Their next meeting came two years later. France were flying high with forward Antoine Griezmann in prime form. After three losses in competitive tournaments, Les Bleus got their act together. The first half was tense, but Griezmann scored a penalty to open the scoring.
The Frenchman would go on to add another in the second half to put the game beyond Germany’s reach. France would lose to Portugal in the final.
2020 UEFA Euro, France 1-0 Germany
The last meeting between the two teams came in UEFA Euro 2020. The two teams were placed in Group F alongside Portugal and Hungary. And they played their first game with each other.
France ended up being the winner, with Matt Hummels’ own goal being the only difference between the two teams. Germany were knocked out in the round of 16 by England, while France’s journey ended at the same stage against underdogs Switzerland.
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