In the last-round duel of Group D, France and Poland surprisingly drew 1-1, causing Les Blues to finish second in their group. The Poles had no chance to advance but played for the nation’s pride and honour, salvaging a draw and winning their first and only point in the tournament. Kylian Mbappe broke the deadlock from the spot in the 56th minute, scoring the first Frenchman’s goal at EURO 2024 after 236 minutes! Robert Lewandowski equalized in the 79th minute in the same way.This match was characterized as less attractive since Poland had already been eliminated from the tournament, while Les Blues had secured the next round. However, the French had the imperative to win since the fight for the group’s top spot was not over. The Netherlands and France had four points each (Oranje was in first place due to a better goal difference), while Austria was one point behind. Given that the Poles were already out of the tournament, it was expected that Mbappe and co. would have an easier job than their rivals, who had to decide their faith in a direct clash.Didier Deschamps didn’t want to take a risk like he did against the Netherlands four days ago and included the captain Mbappe in the starting 11. The fact that France player was yet to score at the tournament (the only goal for France so far was an own-goal), demanded seriousness. Having missed a number of chances against Oranje, Antoine Griezmann was left on the bench, while PSG’s youngster Bradley Barcola took his place. Poland coach Michał Probierz changed the line-up, leaving Juventus’ goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny on the bench, whereas the legendary Robert Lewandowski started the game for the first time in the tournament.Les Blues had their first goal-scoring opportunity after 11 minutes. Ousmane Dembélé did well down the right, and Barcola threw himself at the cross but couldn’t connect. Eight minutes later, N’Golo Kanté won the ball up and passed it right to Dembélé who was denied by the Polish goalie Łukasz Skorupski.France and Poland share the points in Dortmund 👊France finish second in Group D 🇫🇷#EURO2024 | #FRAPOL pic.twitter.com/nyoo12nYj5— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) June 25, 2024 However, throughout the entire first half, Poland fought hard and finally got the chance in the 34th minute. Piotr Zieliński got down the wing and crossed it for Lewandowski, but the Polish skipper dropped it wide of the far post. Mbappe was practically invisible until the 42nd minute when he played a one-two pass with Barcola, but incredible Skorupski got a glove to the shot to see it out for a corner. Three minutes later, we witnessed another duel between the French captain and the Polish goalkeeper, and the latter won again, using the tight angle to his favour and saving it behind for another corner.EURO 2024: Austria finishes above France after Sabitzer’s winner over DutchTwo and a half games without one of them scoring made Les Blues quite nervous and craving to find the net. Where he stopped in the first half, Mbappe continued in the second. Four minutes into the second period, he tried his luck from the edge of the box, but Skorupski batted it away. That was only the introduction to what was to come. In the 56th minute, Dembélé went down in the box after Arsenal’s Jakub Kiwior brought him down, and Mbappe rolled the penalty home, scoring his first goal at the European Championships and the first Frenchman’s goal for Les Blues in the tournament.Milan’s Leao against Portugal’s Leao – what a differenceThe openning goal took the burden off the French players’ shoulders and their style of play became more fluent. Griezmann, Olivier Giroud, and Eduardo Camavinga entered the game for Kanté, Barcola, and Adrien Rabiot, bringing new energy to the team. Having the necessary result, Les Blues lowered the pace and occassionally tried to score once more and secure the victory. But then – the shock! Dayot Upamecano fouled Swidierski, and the referee pointed to the spot. At first, Maignan saved Lewandowski’s strike, but after the VAR review, it turned out that the French goalkeeper encroached. On the second attempt, Lewa found the net and equalized the score. Deschamps’ crew needed the victory for the first place in the group, so France gaffer sent Randal Kolo Muani in for Dembélé, but his effort was in vain since France had no dangerous opportunities until the end of the match. In the round of 16, France will face the Group E winner.EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP – GROUP STAGETuesday Netherlands – Austria 2-3 (0-1)/Gakpo 47, Depay 75 – Malen 6 (og), Schmid 59, Sabitzer 80/France – Poland 1-1 (0-0)/Mbappe (p) 56 – Lewandowski 79 (p)/22.00: (1.42) England (4.70) Slovenia (9.00)22.00: (2.30) Denmark (3.45) Serbia (3.50)
