France narrowly beat brave Turkey and finish top of their Nations League group

France had to work hard against Turkey in the Nations League. A 2-1 win in Bordeaux sent them through to the quarter-finals as winners of Group A.

Chasing an early 1-0 lead, France saw Turkey goalkeeper Berke Özer deny Adrien Rabiot before Rayan Cherki shot narrowly wide. France had 73 per cent possession at one point, but Özer also kept out Bradley Barcola.

Turkey held firm and looked to counter-attack. Deniz Gül tested Mike Maignan, who kept France from falling behind. The World Cup semi-finalists still couldn't find a first-half goal, with Özer denying Michael Olise and a Kylian Mbappé goal ruled out for offside.

Shortly after the break, France went 1-0 up when Turkey defender Emirhan Topçu inadvertently put the ball into his own net. That put Zinédine Zidane's side back in control of first place in Group A. Arda Güler appeared to wipe out the lead almost immediately with a close-range finish for Turkey, but the goal was ruled out for offside on the advice of the VAR.

Zidane made changes after just over an hour, replacing Rabiot and Barcola with Eduardo Camavinga and Eli Junior Kroupi.

With ten minutes remaining, Kroupi made it 2-0 from Cherki's assist. Turkey's resistance in Bordeaux was broken.

Former NEC player Ferdi Kadioglu came on for Turkey in the closing minutes. Abdülkerim Bardakci scored for Turkey in the final minute, but it was too late to avert defeat.