The French team completes a sluggish first round in this Euro 2024. The Blues conceded another draw against Poland, Tuesday June 25 (1-1), with a penalty goal signed Kylian Mbappé. They finished in 2nd place in Group D behind Austria and were worried before entering the round of 16.
3 mins
The most positive will say that the main thing was to qualify for the round of 16 of theEuro 2024. And on arrival, France will be there for the knockout phase. But there is not much room for optimism after the first round of the vice-world champions. Having found the net on their own against Poland is far, far from being enough for a selection ranked among the favorites for the title.
To consultEuro 2024: find the calendar and results
Mbappé back and Griezmann replacing at kick-off
For this third and final match in Group D, the coach was able to count on Kylian Mbappé, back after remaining on the bench against the Dutch. With his mask on his face to protect his broken nose during France-Austria, the captain has regained his position as a leading attacker, with something new around him. This time, no Marcus Thuram on the left wing nor Antoine Griezmann in the middle or up front; Didier Deschamps decided to trust the young Bradley Barcola and Aurélien Tchouaméni.
Théo Hernandez lit the first fuse after ten minutes of play, forcing Lukasz Skorupski to make a foot save. It was then Ousmane Dembélé who, against the Polish goalkeeper, was defeated. Not very dangerous, Poland still made France shiver with a header from Robert Lewandowski close to the target at the half-hour mark. The last chances of the first act were for Mbappé, without success.
Lewandowski responds to Mbappé
The turning point came at the start of the second half. While he had stood out for his lack of efficiency until then, Dembélé made a fatal acceleration on the right side. Entering the area, the Parisian was brought down by Jakub Kiwior; a penalty was logically awarded to the Blues, and Kylian Mbappé was responsible for transforming it (56th). Dominant, France has not yet managed to make the break. And Poland took advantage of it.
Dayot Upamecano fouled Karol Swiderski in the penalty area. Robert Lewandowski hit the penalty and fell to Mike Maignan, but the Italian referee Mr. Marco Guida ordered it to be withdrawn after the French goalkeeper had left his goal line. And on his second attempt, Lewandowski hit the mark, with the help of the post (79th).
The final minutes were played at a wild pace, with each team having opportunities to make the difference. But the nets no longer shook. Poland, 4th in Group D, was eliminated, while France finished in 2nd place behind Austria, who beat the Netherlands at the end of a thrilling match (3-2). The Blues are now waiting to know who will face them in the round of 16: it will be the 2nd in Group E, either Romania, Belgium, Slovakia or Ukraine.