Numerous FC Bayern players were involved in international matches at the weekend, and the second legs of the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals were particularly intense. While João Palhinha played no part in Portugal's 5-2 extra-time win over Denmark, three Bayern players went head-to-head in direct clashes. Find out here who played where and how they fared.
Olise's thunderous free-kick paves the way for France to progress to semi-final
Joy and sorrow often go hand in hand in football. On the one hand, Michael Olise and Dayot Upamecano celebrated reaching the UEFA Nations League Final Four on Sunday evening, while on the other, Josip Stanišić's Croatia bowed out in dramatic fashion on penalties after winning the first leg 2-0 three days ago. But first things first ... Bayern's Michael Olise was the driving force behind the French comeback, which enabled the Équipe Tricolore to overturn the deficit from the first leg.
Like his teammate Upamecano, the attacker was in the French starting XI and he put the home side ahead in the Stade de France with a wonderful free-kick in the 52nd minute. Just under half an hour later (80th minute), Olise then provided the assist for Ousmane Dembélé's goal to make it 2-0. Olise's impressive performance also went down well with the France head coach. "He has huge qualities," said Didier Deschamps, praising his protégé: "He shone in his position today. He was the lynchpin in our attack and, in addition to his free-kick goal, he also showcased his technical skills."
Dramatic penalty shoot-out
However, no further goals followed and after 120 minutes the game had to be decided in a penalty shoot-out. With six penalties having been taken by both sides, it was still all-square - and it would be a clash between two Bayern players that would decide the outcome. First, Josip Stanišić's attempt was saved by France keeper Mike Maignan, then Dayot Upamecano converted shortly afterwards to send Les Bleus through to the next round.
"We asked the players who wanted to shoot and they made the decision for themselves, they showed courage and a sense of responsibility," said Croatia's head coach Zlatko Dalić after the painful exit: "I congratulate our boys for giving their best. I can’t criticise them for anything." France will now face Spain in the Final Four in Stuttgart on 5 June (20:45 CET), while the Croatians will begin their World Cup qualifiers against Gibraltar and the Czech Republic in June.
Austria miss out on promotion
Konrad Laimer will once again have to play in League B in the next edition of the UEFA Nations League. The Bayern all-rounder returned to the Austria starting XI on Sunday evening in the play-off second leg against Serbia after serving his yellow card suspension and led out his home country as captain. However, three days after drawing 1-1 in the first leg in Vienna, Laimer was also unable to prevent the 2-0 (0-0) defeat, in which the Austrians were a man down from the 67th minute onwards after Gernot Trauner was shown a straight red card. Nemanja Maksimović (56‘) and Dušan Vlahović (90’) scored for the home side. After missing out on promotion, Ralf Rangnick's side will now move on to the World Cup qualifiers in June, with Romania and San Marino up first.
Davies clinches 3rd place in the Nations League
The Canadian national team, led by their captain Alphonso Davies, won the Concacaf Nations League third-place play-off in the early hours of Monday. However, the Bayern defender was taken off in the 12th minute of the 2-1 (1-1) victory over the USA after a tussle with USMNT striker Patrick Agyemang. Tani Oluwaseyi (27') put the Canadians ahead before Agyemang (35') equalised for the home side less than ten minutes later. After the break, Jonathan David (59') secured Canada's victory in Inglewood, California.
Peretz wins opener in World Cup qualifying
Daniel Peretz made a successful start to the World Cup qualifiers with the Israeli national team on Saturday. The FC Bayern keeper was between the posts for the 2-1 (1-1) win in their opening match against Estonia, which was played on neutral ground in Debrecen, Hungary. Peretz couldn't stop Maksim Paskotši's opener for Estonia on ten minutes, but an own goal by Karl Hein (23') and an Eli Dasa strike (75') turned the game in Israel's favour. Peretz and Co. now play in Debrecen again on Tuesday evening, with Norway as the opposition (20:45 CET).
Germany, featuring Joshua Kimmich and Co., were also in action in Nations League action on Sunday evening - in a memorable match against Italy:
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