Kroupi on target as France beat Turkey to reach Nations League quarters

Eli Junior Kroupi scored his first France goal as Les Bleus beat Turkey 2-1 on Sunday to secure a spot in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Nations League. France needed a draw in their last Group A1 outing to make sure of their progress to the quarter-finals next March, and they went ahead just after half-time in Bordeaux via an Emirhan Topcu own goal. Bournemouth forward Kroupi, 20, replaced Bradley Barcola just past the hour and made it 2-0 from a Rayan Cherki assist, before Abdulkerim Bardakci pulled one back for Turkey at the death. The result allowed Zinedine Zidane's French side to bounce back from a 3-1 loss away to Italy on Thursday as they finish on top of their group with 13 points, one point ahead of Belgium. The Belgians also progress into the quarter-finals after coming from behind to thrash Italy 4-1 in Brussels. France, who won the Nations League in 2021, are therefore guaranteed to play a runner-up from one of the other groups in League A in the quarters, the draw for which will take place this coming Friday. World Cup winners Spain are among their potential opponents in the last eight. France have been hit by a host of injury issues, with last year's Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembélé among the many players missing for Zidane just now. Captain Kylian Mbappé did return, however, after missing France's last four matches since scoring the winner in Turkey on Zidane's debut in September. This game carried special significance for Zidane, who made his name as a player at Bordeaux in the 1990s before moving to Juventus and inspiring France to World Cup glory in 1998. His return to the south-western city risked being spoiled by the performance of Turkey goalkeeper Berke Ozer, who frustrated France with a host of saves. However, the home side went ahead in the 49th minute when Adrien Rabiot helped on a corner and Besiktas defender Topcu only succeeded in putting the ball over the line. Kroupi, who scored 13 goals in the Premier League last season for Bournemouth, was handed a late call-up by Zidane after Marcus Thuram pulled out injured at the start of last week. He won his first cap off the bench against Italy and notched his first France goal in the 80th minute here after combining superbly with Cherki. That goal proved to be decisive as Bardakci replied in the 90th minute for Turkey, who finish with six defeats from six games. (FRANCE 24 with AFP)