Not quite the final, but far from a throwaway, Germany and France are set to collide in the UEFA Nations League 2025 third-place playoff on Sunday, June 8, at MHPArena in Stuttgart. Sure, it’s not for the trophy, but don’t write this one off; both sides have pride on the line and plenty to prove after heartbreaking semifinal exits.
Germany fell just short against Portugal, losing 2-1 in a tense, scrappy match. France? They got caught up in an absolute rollercoaster, eventually dropping a wild 5-4 thriller to Spain. Expect emotions to run high, and don’t be surprised if we see some fireworks.
Germany vs France: Match Snapshot
- 🗓 Date: June 8, 2025
- ⏰ Kick-off: 14:00 BST / 9:00 AM ET / 6:00 AM PT
- 🏟 Venue: MHPArena, Stuttgart, Germany
- ⚖ Referee: Ivan Kružliak (Slovakia)
- 📺 Watch in the US: fuboTV, ViX, Amazon Prime Video, Tubi
- 📺 Watch in the UK: Amazon Prime Video
Recent Form: Momentum and Motivation
Germany might’ve lost to Portugal, but it wasn’t all doom and gloom. Florian Wirtz looked sharp, and Nagelsmann’s boys showed glimpses of their attacking potential. There’s buzz that the coach might shake things up a bit, expect some fresh legs, more pace, maybe a new twist in the game plan.
On the other side, France is probably still catching their breath. That comeback attempt against Spain? Electric. Rayan Cherki stepped up big, and with Kylian Mbappé likely leading the line again, this French side is anything but checked out.
Probable Lineups
Germany (3-4-2-1):
Ter Stegen; Tah, Koch, Raum; Kimmich, Goretzka, Gross, Wirtz; Adeyemi, Woltemade; Füllkrug
France (4-2-3-1):
Maignan; Gusto, Badé, Lucas Hernández, Digne; Tchouaméni, Rabiot; Cherki, Olise, Dembélé; Mbappé
Key Players to Watch
Germany:
- Florian Wirtz – quick feet and sharper instincts; Germany’s creative lifeline.
- Niclas Füllkrug – when he’s on, goals follow.
- Joshua Kimmich – the guy who holds it all together in midfield.
France:
- Kylian Mbappé – needs no introduction.
- Rayan Cherki – fearless, fast, and a problem for any defence.
- Aurélien Tchouaméni adds bite and balance in the middle of the park.
What to Expect
Let’s be honest, third-place matches can be weird. Sometimes they’re cagey, sometimes they turn into absolute goal-fests. With Germany on home turf and France boasting an attack full of flair and youth, this one leans toward the latter.
Add in the fact that there’s less pressure and more freedom to experiment, and you might just get 90 minutes (or more) of open, expressive football. A few spectacular goals? A last-minute equaliser? Maybe even penalties? Wouldn’t be surprising in the slightest.
