In Euro 2024 Group D, France settled for second place despite a 1-1 draw with Poland. Kylian Mbappe scored his first goal at the European Championship with a penalty, but Poland’s Robert Lewandowski equalized with his own spot kick. The result meant that Austria topped the group with a 3-2 victory over the Netherlands, who finished third.
France’s lack of goals from open play has been a cause for concern despite reaching the last 16. They have relied on own goals and penalties for their goals so far, highlighting a lack of fluency in the final third. Coach Didier Deschamps will need to address this issue before facing the runners-up of Group E in the knockout stages. The potential opponents for France include Belgium, Romania, Slovakia, or Ukraine.
Lukasz Skorupski was named the Player of the Match for Poland, as he filled in admirably for Wojciech Szczesny in goal. His performance helped Poland secure a well-deserved point and gave their fans a reason to celebrate. In the player ratings, Mbappe was the standout performer for France, while Lewandowski received the highest rating for Poland.
The match saw some key moments, including N’Golo Kante’s threatening run towards the Poland box, Mbappe’s efforts at goal, and the two pivotal penalties that decided the outcome. Mbappe converted his penalty confidently to give France the lead, but Lewandowski equalized with a well-taken spot kick after a VAR decision. The drama of the match kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.
France’s performance in Euro 2024 has been underwhelming, raising questions about their ability to challenge for the title. Their struggles in front of goal have been evident, and they will need to improve in the knockout stages if they are to progress further in the tournament. With tough opponents awaiting them in the next round, France must find their form quickly to have a chance of success in the competition.
