READ MATCH REPORT | France and Netherlands play out first goalless draw of Euro 2024
Poland eliminated
The goalless draw between France and Netherlands mean that Robert Lewandowski’s Poland becomes the first team to be eliminated from Euro 2024.
Why was Netherlands’ Xavi Simon’s goal disallowed?
The first goal of the Netherlands against France in a Group D match of Euro 2024, hit by Xavi Simons, was overruled by the referee to the dismay of the Oranje, at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig in Germany on Friday.
In the 69th minute, Simons got the ball at the edge of the box and his immediate shot kissed the net to the joy of thousands of Dutch fans in the stadium.
However, the referee and the linesman, after a long conversation, ruled the goal out.
The linesman had initially raised the flag for an off-side, with Dutch full-back Denzel Dumfries standing past the line. However, referee Anthony Taylor, after a long conversation with the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) concluded that it was a foul for another reason -- obstructing the goalkeeper.
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Time to bring Mbappe on?
France has not won any of its last six games in which Kylian Mbappé has not started ( Four draws, two defeats).
An uneventful first-half!
Apart from Adrien Rabiot’s moment of madness, where he opted to pass to Antoine Griezmann from point-blank range instead of going for a shot, it has mostly been an uneventful first-half.
Signs are indicating the introduction of a masked Kylian Mbappe.
A chance to build momentum
France could win its first two EURO matches for the fourth time. During the three previous occurrences, the Blues had reached the final of the tournament (winners in 1984 and 2000, finalist in 2016).
French superiority
France has won seven of its last eight matches against the Netherlands in all competitions. Its only loss came in a UEFA Nations League match in November, 2018.
Euro 2024: Why is Mbappe wearing a black mask in Netherlands vs France?
Mbappe suffered a broken nose, an aerial collision when his face struck Kevin Danso’s shoulder, during France’s 1-0 win against Austria in Euro 2024 and was forced to be substituted minutes later with blood dripping down his nose.
While there were speculations that he might miss their next game against Netherlands, France’s medical team said that he had a chance to make it in time for the game.
Mbappe starts the match against Netherlands on the bench.
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