Eli Junior Kroupi scored his first France goal as Les Bleus beat Türkiye 2-1 in Bordeaux on Sunday, securing a place in the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals. France needed only a draw in their final Group A1 match to guarantee progress, and they went ahead just after half-time through an own goal from Emirhan Topcu.
Bournemouth forward Kroupi, 20, replaced Bradley Barcola just past the hour and doubled France's lead from a Rayan Cherki assist. Abdulkerim Bardakci pulled one back for Türkiye at the death. Kroupi, who had only just returned after missing the first two months of the season through injury, said he had initially thought he was offside but was thrilled when the goal stood, adding that he hoped to have left his injury behind him.S1S2
The result allowed Zinedine Zidane's side to bounce back from a 3-1 defeat away to Italy on Thursday and finish top of the group on 13 points, one ahead of Belgium. Belgium also progressed after coming from behind to beat Italy 4-1 in Brussels. France, who won the Nations League in 2021, will face a runner-up from another League A group in the quarter-finals, with the draw taking place this coming Friday. World Cup winners Spain are among the potential opponents.S1S2
Zidane said the aim had been to qualify, ideally as group winners, and that the goal had been achieved, though he was perplexed by the performance and felt improvements were needed after changes at half-time. Captain Kylian Mbappe returned after missing France's last four matches, and Zidane praised his play, saying he deserved a hat-trick given his chances. France have been hit by many injuries, with last year's Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele among those absent.S1
The match carried special significance for Zidane, who began his playing career at Bordeaux in the 1990s before moving to Juventus and helping France win the World Cup in 1998. Kroupi was a late call-up after Marcus Thuram pulled out injured at the start of the previous week, and he had scored 13 Premier League goals for Bournemouth last season.S1
