Summary

  • Result: France 1-2 Denmark - two late goals stun Nations League holders

  • Superb Benzema strike had put France in front

  • Result: Belgium 1-4 Netherlands - world's second-ranked side thrashed at home

  • Lukaku goes off injured for Belgium

  • Result: Croatia 0-3 Austria - Rangnick's first game in charge ends in fine win

  1. KICK-OFFpublished at 19:45 British Summer Time 3 June 2022

    We've had the anthems and the rest of the pre-game formalities. Time to get this Nations League show on the road. Most eyes are on the Stade de France and King Baudouin Stadium, where the big boys are in action.

    Denmark fansImage source, Getty Images
    France fansImage source, Getty Images
  2. The other gamespublished at 19:44 British Summer Time 3 June 2022

    There were two games earlier today in the lower leagues with Kazakhstan beating Azerbaijan 2-0 and Latvia brushing off Andorra 3-0.

    Tonight, Belarus play Slovakia (in Serbia because Belarus are not allowed to play home games) and Liechtenstein face Moldova.

  3. Austria's Rangnick regime beginspublished at 19:42 British Summer Time 3 June 2022

    Croatia v Austria (19:45 BST)

    RangnickImage source, Reuters

    Tonight is Ralf Rangnick's first game as Austria manager.

    The former Manchester United interim manager left his role as United consultant before it even started so he could focus on his new job.

    He left Old Trafford with a record of 11 wins in 29 games.

    Croatia assistant Vedran Corluka said: "I expect Austria to come at us at full speed. Coach Rangnick was an advisor at Lokomotiv [Moscow] before I was left and, after our conversations, I get his philosophy. I am sure they will go 100%, but we are looking for victory too."

    David Alaba misses out for Austria after a quick turnaround from winning the Champions League with Real Madrid.

  4. Team newspublished at 19:41 British Summer Time 3 June 2022

    Belgium v Netherlands (19:45 BST)

    Belgium's record goalscorer Romelu Lukaku has recovered from an injury suffered in training this week and starts up front.

    Champions League final hero Thibaut Courtois misses out with a groin strain so Simon Mignolet starts in goal.

    Jasper Cillessen is a surprise starter in the Dutch goal. Premier League pair Virgil van Dijk and Nathan Ake start in front of him.

    Belgium XI: Mignolet, Alderweireld, Boyata, Vertonghen, Meunier, Witsel, De Bruyne, Castagne, Vanaken, E Hazard, Lukaku.

    Netherlands XI: Cillessen, Dumfries, Blind, Timber, Ake, Van Dijk, De Jong, Berghuis, Klaassen, Depay, Bergwijn.

  5. Postpublished at 19:40 British Summer Time 3 June 2022

    Belgium v Netherlands (19:45 BST)

    Belgium lost to France in the semis of last year's Nations League and they want to go further this time.

    The only official football competition they have ever won was the 1920 Olympics.

    Defender Jan Vertonghen said: "Playing in the Nations League final four last year has really opened my eyes.

    "The tournament may not yet have as much prestige as the World Cup or the European Championship, but who knows: in 10 or maybe 15 years it might.

    "Imagine the immense regret if we had the chance to win but just didn’t take it seriously enough. And naturally we want to give our fans a trophy."

    BelgiumImage source, .
  6. Postpublished at 19:39 British Summer Time 3 June 2022

    Belgium v Netherlands (19:45 BST)

    Tonight we have the derby of the Low Countries, the 128th meeting of Belgium and the Netherlands.

    The Dutch are winning 66-41.

  7. Team newspublished at 19:38 British Summer Time 3 June 2022

    France v Denmark (19:45 BST)

    France striker Karim Benzema starts at the Stade de France for the second time in six days, having won the Champions League here last Saturday with Real Madrid.

    He partners Kylian Mbappe, who was expected to be his Real team-mate next season before signing a new PSG deal.

    Free agent Paul Pogba is missing because of an injury.

    Christian Eriksen is one of several Premier League players in the Danish team.

    France XI: Lloris, Kounde, Varane, L Hernandez, Coman, Tchouameni, Kante, T Hernandez, Griezmann, Mbappe, Benzema.

    Denmark XI: Schmeichel, Andersen, Nelsson, Vestergaard, Wass, Hojbjerg, Delaney, Maehle, Olsen, Eriksen, Dolberg.

  8. Benzema set for Ballon d'Or?published at 19:37 British Summer Time 3 June 2022

    France v Denmark (19:45 BST)

    In Karim Benzema, France have a player expected to scoop up the Ballon d'Or later this year.

    The 34-year-old would become the first Frenchman since Zinedine Zidane in 1998 to win.

    Read about why Benzema will probably win it here.

    BenzemaImage source, BBC Sport
  9. Postpublished at 19:34 British Summer Time 3 June 2022

    France v Denmark (19:45 BST)

    Guy StephanImage source, Reuters

    France assistant coach Guy Stephan takes charge tonight after Didier Deschamps left the camp following the death of his father.

    "I have been in regular contact with Didier on the phone since Tuesday," said former Senegal boss Stephan.

    "He is in mourning but he is strong. He won't be here but he will be back soon.

    "I think Denmark are a bit underrated. We forget that they are 11th in the Fifa world rankings; better than Germany, Uruguay or Senegal."

  10. Tonight's games (all 19:45 BST)published at 19:32 British Summer Time 3 June 2022

    A1

    Croatia v Austria

    France v Denmark

    A4

    Belgium v Netherlands

    C3

    Belarus v Slovakia

    D1

    Liechtenstein v Moldova

  11. Postpublished at 19:26 British Summer Time 3 June 2022

    It's the summer of a World Cup year and tonight we have France v Denmark and Belgium v the Netherlands.

    Must be the last 16 I suppose?

    Actually no it's the Uefa Nations League groups.