In a high-stakes Nations League match on Thursday, November 14, France held Israel to a 0-0 draw at the Stade de France, securing a top-two group finish and a quarterfinal berth.
The game unfolded under heightened security measures, with Paris authorities deploying around 4,000 police officers and security personnel after recent violence during a Europa League match in Amsterdam between Dutch fans and supporters of Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv.
The draw brought France level with Italy, which defeated Belgium 1-0 the same evening, advancing both teams to the quarterfinals set for March.
The lineup for the Final Four mini-tournament in June will also feature early qualifiers Germany and Spain, marking a competitive climax for this season’s Nations League.
Security Dominates the Day
With international attention on the game’s potential for unrest, the French government took exceptional measures to ensure safety at the 80,000-seat Stade de France.
Only 16,611 fans attended the match, among them about 150 Israeli supporters, creating a subdued atmosphere in the normally bustling stadium.
French President Emmanuel Macron was also in attendance, signaling the significance of the event within the national political context.
Security concerns were magnified by last week’s attacks in Amsterdam targeting Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters, which drew international criticism for antisemitic undertones.
French police maintained a visible presence both inside and outside the stadium, minimizing any risk of confrontation. A brief scuffle did break out during the first half, though it was quickly contained.
Hostile Reception
The tension within the stadium was palpable, as Israel’s national anthem was met with whistles and boos from parts of the crowd, while Israeli players faced jeers whenever they were in possession of the ball.
Yet the Israeli team held firm against a French side missing star forward Kylian Mbappé, who was absent from the squad.
France, captained by veteran midfielder N’Golo Kanté, struggled to break through Israel’s disciplined defense.
Israel’s goalkeeper, Daniel Peretz, proved instrumental, making critical saves from Randal Kolo Muani, Warren Zaïre-Emery, and Christopher Nkunku. Kanté, despite his role as captain, missed a key shot, reflecting France’s ongoing struggle for offensive consistency without Mbappé.
This match marked Israel’s first point in the Nations League group stage, showcasing resilience in a challenging setting.
Looking Ahead
The stakes were similarly high in Athens, where England defeated Greece 3-0, erasing the memory of a previous home defeat to the same team.
England’s Ollie Watkins and Curtis Jones each scored, while captain Harry Kane entered the game as a second-half substitute, sparking anticipation of the team’s potential under incoming coach Thomas Tuchel.
For France, the evening’s outcome underscores its need to refine offensive tactics as it prepares for the Nations League quarterfinals.
With Mbappé’s uncertain availability due to ongoing injury concerns, the team will need to bolster its attack if it hopes to advance in the competition.
As security concerns continue to weigh on international sports events, Thursday’s match highlights the challenges facing organizers balancing athletic competition and geopolitical tension.
With the next Nations League stage slated for March, French authorities may use this event as a model for managing similar high-profile games.
