Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

Euro PICS: Mbappe scores but France held by Poland

Last updated on: June 26, 2024 00:02 IST

Images from the Euro 2024 Group D match between France and Poland, at Dortmund BVB Stadion, Germany, on Tuesday.

Kylian Mbappe sends Poland's goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski the wrong way from the penalty spot to put France ahead in the Euro 2024 Group D match at Dortmund BVB Stadion, Germany, on Tuesday.

IMAGE: Kylian Mbappe sends Poland's goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski the wrong way from the penalty spot to put France ahead in the Euro 2024 Group D match at Dortmund BVB Stadion, Germany, on Tuesday. Photograph: Bernadett Szabo/Reuters

A Kylian Mbappe penalty was cancelled out by Robert Lewandowski's spot kick as already-eliminated Poland held France to a 1-1 draw in Dortmund on Tuesday, meaning the French finish second in Group D.

 

Mbappe broke the deadlock in the 56th minute with his first European Championship goal -- and the first scored by a French player at Euro 2024 -- when he calmly slotted home a penalty given for Jakub Kiwior's clumsy challenge on Ousmane Dembele.

Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring as Poland's goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski looks on.

IMAGE: Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring as Poland's goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski looks on. Photograph: Kacper Pempel/Reuters

But Dayot Upamecano brought down Polish substitute Karol Swiderksi, which allowed Lewandowski to level from the spot in the 79th minute -- after his first effort was saved by Mike Maignan, who was adjudged to have advanced off his line too early.

The draw means France finish second in Group D behind Austria and will face whoever comes second in Group E, where Romania, Belgium, Slovakia and Ukraine are all on three points.

France's Dayot Upamecano brings down Poland's Karol Swiderski and concedes a penalty.

IMAGE: France's Dayot Upamecano brings down Poland's Karol Swiderski and concedes a penalty. Photograph: Bernadett Szabo/Reuters

It is the first time France have failed to finish top of their group at a major tournament in 12 years under manager Didier Deschamps.

It was another uninspired performance by France, who lacked imagination from top to bottom. They dominated possession but were denied by Poland's excellent goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski who made a string of decent saves to deny Mbappe, Theo Hernandez, Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola´s close-range efforts.

France's goalkeeper Mike Maignan saves a penalty from Robert Lewandowski, which had to be retaken.

IMAGE: France's goalkeeper Mike Maignan saves the penalty from Robert Lewandowski, which had to be retaken. Photograph: Kacper Pempel/Reuters

But after Poland found the equalizer, France had to endure a late flurry by the animated Polish who were roared on by their fans who woke up after Lewandowski’s goal to create a raucous atmosphere at Dortmund BVB Stadion.

Deschamps still seems to be figuring out how to play his forwards after three games, opting to start talisman Antoine Griezmann on the bench against Poland and his role is still unclear.

Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.