The French national team didn't do enough to win against Iceland in the World Cup qualifiers. The "Roosters" drew 2-2 in Reykjavik and remain at the top of Group "D" with three points ahead of Ukraine.
"Iceland had two shots on goal and scored two goals, and we didn't do enough in the first half. We improved after that, but the way we conceded the second goal was disappointing. We got through the tough part and then we switched off - this should never happen to us, but for now we will accept it," commented the coach of the "Roosters".
France dropped points for the first time in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in North America, and the Ukrainians beat Azerbaijan 2-1.
Germany national team coach Julian Nagelsmann was critical of his team despite the 3-1 victory over Northern Ireland. The coach admitted that it was not a pleasant match to watch and the team did not do well.
"It was definitely not our best match. The stadium was extremely emotional. We had to try hard and fight for the second, third and fourth ball, for every ball," the coach admitted to RTL, quoted by Reuters.
"In the end, the set pieces were decisive. We train them a lot because it's important. It was an ugly win, but the most important thing is the third points," Nagelsmann added.
"It was very important to score my first goal for the national team. It was with my shoulder. We won the three points and I'm happy," said the team's striker Nick Voltemade.
Wales national team coach Craig Bellamy expressed his dissatisfaction with the video assistant referee (VAR) system after the "Dragons" awarded two penalties for handball in the penalty area in a 2-4 defeat in a world football qualifier. According to him, nowadays fouls are judged too easily and VAR is to blame for this.
The first penalty was awarded after Charles De Quetelare hit Ethan Ampadu's arm from close range in the 18th minute, and the second - with a similar performance by Jordan James after Leandro Trossard played in. In both cases, Kevin De Bruyne was accurate.
"I have no problem with the second penalty. It was more of a shoulder than an arm, you can see, but no problem. But for the first one... What are we supposed to do with our arms in this case? I don't understand when the rules changed. I'm not angry, I congratulate Belgium on the victory", said Bellamy, quoted by Sky Sports.
"I just don't understand what we are supposed to do. There have already been four penalties against us for handball. It changes whole matches. Yes, maybe I'm a dinosaur, but I haven't been out of football for that long. We don't deserve this, but we have to react better," he continued.
"Even before the introduction of video replays, I was against them. During the World Cup in Qatar, they were okay, but then everything turned upside down. This match in particular was not decided by video replays, but they definitely didn't help," concluded the former striker.