• Wijnaldum and Depay on target for Dutch in Nations League • World champions’ unbeaten run ended after 15 games

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

Germany were relegated from Group A1 of the Nations League after the Netherlands earned a surprise 2-0 win over France. Goals from Georginio Wijnaldum and Memphis Depay crowned a dominant display from the Dutch in Rotterdam which in turn ended the world champions’ 15-game unbeaten run.

Friday’s result leaves Joachim Löw’s winless Germany rooted to the bottom of the table and heading to League B. And the Netherlands will have the chance to qualify for the finals of the competition ahead of France when they complete the group stage against the Germans in Gelsenkirchen on Monday. Victory would see Ronald Koeman’s men top the group, while a draw would also be sufficient because of their superior goal difference.

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The Dutch fully merited their victory at De Kuip and below-par France, without the injured Paul Pogba, would have lost by more had it not been for the display of their goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. Wijnaldum opened the scoring in the 44th minute, before Depay dinked in a penalty deep into added time.

The Netherlands, who failed to qualify for the last two major tournaments, have been rejuvenated under Koeman and full of confidence from last month’s 3-0 success against Germany, they had an excellent opportunity to go ahead inside two minutes. Depay burst past France left-back Lucas Digne on the right before cutting the ball back for the unmarked Wijnaldum to strike a powerful first-time shot which was beaten away by Lloris.

Quick guide Nations League fixtures and results Show Hide Thursday 15 November League A, Group 2: Belgium 2-0 Iceland

A4: Croatia 3-2 Spain

B3: Austria 0-0 Bosnia-Herzegovina

C2: Hungary 2-0 Estonia, Greece 1-0 Finland

D1: Kazakhstan 1-1 Latvia, Andorra 1-1 Georgia

D2: Luxembourg 0-2 Belarus, San Marino 0-1 Moldova Friday 16 November League A, Group 1: Netherlands 2-0 France

B1: Slovakia 4-1 Ukraine

B4: Wales 1-2 Denmark

C3: Cyprus 1-1 Bulgaria, Slovenia 1-1 Norway

D4: Gibraltar 2-6 Armenia, Liechtenstein 0-2 FYR Macedonia Saturday 17 November League A, Group 3: Italy 0-0 Portugal

B2: Turkey 0-1 Sweden

C1: Albania 0-4 Scotland

C4: Serbia 2-1 Montenegro, Romania 3-0 Lithuania

D3: Azerbaijan 2-0 Faroe Islands, Malta 0-5 Kosovo Sunday 18 November League A, Group 2: Switzerland 5-2 Belgium

A4: England 2-1 Croatia

B3: Northern Ireland 1-2 Austria

C2: Hungary 2-0 Finland, Greece 0-1 Estonia

D2: San Marino 0-2 Belarus, Moldova 1-1 Luxembourg Monday 19 November League A, Group 1: Germany 2-2 Netherlands

B1: Czech Republic 1-0 Slovakia

B4: Denmark 0-0 Republic of Ireland

C3: Cyprus 0-2 Norway, Bulgaria 1-1 Slovenia

D1: Georgia 2-1 Kazakhstan, Andorra 0-0 Latvia

D4: FYR Macedonia 4-0 Gibraltar, Liechtenstein 2-2 Armenia Tuesday 20 November League A, Group 3: Portugal 1-1 Poland

B2: Sweden 2-0 Russia

C1: Scotland 3-2 Israel

C4: Serbia 4-1 Lithuania, Montenegro 0-1 Romania

D3: Malta 1-1 Faroe Islands, Kosovo 4-0 Azerbaijan Ups and downs so far League A

Finals: Netherlands, Switzerland, Portugal, England

Relegated: Germany, Iceland, Poland, Croatia League B

Promoted: Ukraine, Sweden, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Denmark

Relegated: Slovakia, Turkey, N Ireland, Rep of Ireland League C

Promoted: Scotland, Finland, Norway, Serbia

Relegated: Estonia, Slovenia, Lithuania, Cyprus League D

Promoted: Georgia, Belarus, Kosovo, Macedonia Photograph: Jane Barlow/PA

The hosts controlled the opening period, although France threatened during a rare foray forward when Antoine Griezmann’s header from a Digne cross bounced off the surface before being held by Jasper Cillessen.

Les Bleus, who needed a point to ensure top spot in the group, seemed content to sit back and they were grateful for Depay’s 13th-minute volley was straight at Lloris.

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The Dutch deservedly edged ahead a minute before half-time following a mistake by Steven N’Zonzi. The midfielder inadvertently helped Frenkie de Jong’s cross on to Ryan Babel and, after his close-range effort was repelled by the legs of Lloris, Wijnaldum reacted quickest to the rebound.

France produced little response to going behind and could have been reduced to 10 men when Everton defender Digne was booked for a late, studs-up challenge on Denzel Dumfries. The PSV Eindhoven right-back was then twice denied by Lloris following Daley Blind’s cross as the hosts went in search of a second.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Gini Wijnaldum celebrates after opening the scoring in the closing minutes of the first half. Photograph: Soccrates Images/Getty Images

The Dutch, led by Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk, defended resolutely and never looked like surrendering their lead as they beat France for the first time since Euro 2008. They eventually made the points safe in the fifth minute of added time when Depay cheekily chipped in from the spot after France substitute Moussa Sissoko brought down De Jong in the box.

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Ukraine, who have already secured top spot in Group B1, suffered a 4-1 defeat in Slovakia.

Albert Rusnak, Juraj Kucka, Adam Zrelak and Robert Mak boosted Slovakia’s hopes of avoiding relegation, with Yevhen Konoplyanka’s strike merely a consolation for Ukraine.

Norway and Bulgaria are locked on 10 points before the final Group C3 fixtures after respective 1-1 draws in Slovenia and Cyprus.

Gibraltar took the lead against Armenia but eventually succumbed to a 6-2 loss in Group D4, where FYR Macedonia remain top after defeating Liechtenstein 2-0.