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France can be eliminated from Nations League if they lose to Turkey on Sunday

After a 3-1 defeat to Italy at San Siro on Thursday, Zinedine Zidane's France must avoid losing to Turkey on Sunday in Bordeaux to secure their quarter-final qualification.

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France can be eliminated from Nations League if they lose to Turkey on Sunday
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France are no longer in control of their destiny in the Nations League after their 3-1 defeat to Italy at San Siro on Thursday evening. A loss in the final matchday on Sunday against Turkey in Bordeaux could simply eliminate Zinedine Zidane’s side from the group stage.

In the group standings, Italy and France are level on 10 points each, Belgium follow with 9 points, while Turkey are bottom with no points. The top two qualify for the quarter-finals, and the French still have their fate in their own hands.

A draw against Turkey would be enough to secure France’s place. Even a defeat could have no consequences, provided Belgium do not beat Italy at the same time.

But a worst-case scenario does exist: if France lose to Turkey and Belgium beat the Squadra Azzurra, the Red Devils would rise to 12 points, leaving France and Italy stuck on 10. The regulations would then be ruthless for the Tricolores: in case of equal points between two teams, head-to-head records decide. However, after the 1-1 draw away and the 3-1 defeat in Milan, France have only one point against Italy’s four in their direct encounters. The French would be eliminated in favour of the Nazionale.

Zidane and his players therefore have only one acceptable margin for error on Sunday: not to lose.

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