World champions France fought back from a goal down to edge Germany 2-1 with a double from Antoine Griezmann in their Nations Cup match at the Stade de France on Tuesday.
The 27-year-old forward canceled out Toni Kroos' first half penalty with a fine header just past the hour and then scored with a spot-kick himself late in the game to kill off the visitors' hopes of reaching the semi-finals.
The French found themselves on the backfoot in the first half but did not lose confidence even when the Germans came close to a second goal.
France top the League A Group 1 standings with seven points from three games, followed by the Netherlands with three points from two games and Germany with one point from three games.
The Germans, with five changes to the team that lost 3-0 away to the Netherlands on Saturday, had their share of chances and overall looked sharper despite their sixth defeat of 2018.
Antoine Griezmann (C) celebrates after scoring during France's UEFA Nations League clash with Germany on October 16, 2018. /VCG Photo
Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry added much needed speed to Germany's game and the overall performance offered coach Joachim Loew some respite after recent setbacks.
“We should not be disappointed tonight after such a performance,” said Loew, who has been under pressure since his side's World Cup flop in June.
After crashing out in the group stage in the World Cup in Russia, Germany, world champions in 2014, are still looking for their first victory in UEFA's Nations League competition.
Ukraine players celebrate their promotion in the UEFA Nations League after a 1-0 victory over Czech Republic in Kharkiv on October 16, 2018. /VCG Photo
Elsewhere, Ukraine sealed promotion to League A as they edged past Czech Republic 1-0 on Tuesday thanks to Ruslan Malinovskyi's first-half strike. The midfielder scored his second goal in as many international appearances with a long-range effort just before the break.
Wales midfielder Harry Wilson produced another brilliant free-kick following his heroics against Manchester United to seal a 1-0 victory against toothless Ireland.
The 21-year-old Derby player, who shocked Old Trafford from a set-piece in the League Cup last month, curled in the winner with his left foot from outside the area just before the hour mark.
Wales and Real Madrid star Bale is injured and Ramsey was in London with his family following the birth of twins.
Chelsea teenager Ethan Ampadu, who starred in the Welsh side's demolition of Ireland in September's reverse fixture, missed out due to injury.