FRANCE have had to settle for second best after Robert Lewandowski’s late penalty saw them draw 1-1 with Poland!
The result means Les Bleus will go through to the knockout stages only as the runners up after Austria shocked the Netherlands.
Kylian Mbappe – wearing his mask for the first time – had put France ahead from the penalty spot with his first ever European Championships goal.
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Austria upset form guide on final day
Having beat the Netherlands 3-2 in Berlin, Ralf Rangnick’s side ending up topping Group D.
Not many predicted that before the final games as they plotted whether it would be Netherlands or France in top spot.
As a result, France finish second in the group and Netherlands in third.
This means that Netherlands could face England in the ’round of 16′.
Piotr the Great stars for Poland
Piotr Zielinski was the standout performer for Poland today.
His industry in the middle of the park controlled things for Michal Probierz’s side.
Vision and the ability to pick a pass opened up France time and time again.
Legend shows his worth to team
Starting his first game of Euro 2024, Poland looked a completely different team today against France.
It was his penalty that earned a point for the Poles, even after having to take it a second time.
France could not deal with his movement at times, creating space for his teammates to get in the channels.
Credit: AFP
Les Bleus all possession not penetration
French fans will feel they did enough to have won this game today as they dominated large portions of the game.
The problem for Deschamps’ side is that killer pass in the final third.
All too often they were snatching at chances and paid the ultimate price.
FT: France 1-1 Poland
It was a tale of two penalties in Dortmund this evening.
France continue to struggle to score goals.
As a result, they will have to settle for second place in Group D.
FT: France 1-1 Poland
It is all over at Westfalenstadion.
The referee bring the game to a close as he blows the whistle.
France have missed the chance to top the group.
France 1-1 Poland
90+4. France are starting to run out of ideas in this one.
Poland do deserve something from this game, it has been a marked improvement from their other two games.
Maybe the future for this team is not as bleak as we once thought.
Credit: AFP France 1-1 Poland
90+2. Poland’s young keeper may be a good shout for man of the match in this game today.
He has offered a steady set of hands at the back for the Poles.
Swiderski is booked for a foul on Hernandez.
He cannot argue with that one, it was like a rugby league challenge.
France 1-1 Poland
90. Time is fast running out for France now.
We have seen plenty of late goals in the last few days so don’t rule anything out just yet.
The fourth official raises his board and we are going to see five added minutes.
France 1-1 Poland
88. Mbappe has taken over corner taking responsibilities now.
The ball is half-cleared but then played towards goal again but Skorupski gets to the ball before Griezmann.
Mbappe seems to be in some pain as a stray arm from Lewandowski catches him in the mask.
France 1-1 Poland
86. Some good football finally by Les Bleus.
A sublime flick from Mbappe puts Fofana in and his cross picks out Giroud peerfectly in the middle.
The former Arsenal man pulls the trigger but a great block sees the ball go out for a corner.
France 1-1 Poland
84. France are looking rattled here at the moment.
They keep giving the ball away and inviting Poland to attack.
Moder crosses into the box and Upamecano heads behind for a corner.
France 1-1 Poland
82. It is all going on in Group D now.
Netherlands pegged back Austria in Berlin, only to see Ralf Rangnick’s side score straight away to take the lead again.
That now means Austria are top, France in second and Netherlands in third place.
Credit: Reuters France 1-1 Poland
80. Late drama in Dortmund.
Maignan went from hero to zero in the space of a minute there.
Thinking he had saved Lewandowski’s penalty only to see the referee order it to be retaken.
No such mistake at the second time of asking for the Polish striker.
Goal – Robert Lewandowski (Poland)
France 1-0 Poland
78. Maignan saved Lewandowski’s penalty in the bottom corner.
The Barcelona striker claims the keeper moved off his line.
VAR agrees and they demand the penalty to be retaken.
Penalty saved by Maignan
Penalty to Poland
VAR review in progress
France 1-0 Poland
74. Poland are starting to get forward more now.
Swiderski is tucking into the forward position and Lewandowski is dropping deeper to try and link play.
The Poles feel they should have had a penalty but the referee disagrees and France break and Mbappe really should have put the game to bed.
France 1-0 Poland
72. First glimpse of goal for Lewandowski.
He tries his luck from outside the box and had Maignan scrambling across his goal.
Fortunately for Les Bleus, it is just wide of the near post.
France 1-0 Poland
70. Giroud is making some good runs when Hernandez gets down the flank for the French.
Poland are still marking well and cutting out the easy ball.
The big problem for Probierz’s side is creating some opportunities to test Maignan in the France goal.
Credit: Getty France 1-0 Poland
68. France will be content if the score stays as it is.
It will mean them topping the group and leaves their goalscoring problems for another day’s worry.
They are looking to most likely to get the next goal here.
France 1-0 Poland
66. Poland have offered far less of an attacking threat so far.
They need to start stretching this French defensive line if they want to get something out of this game.
Les Bleus are still looking a bit one-dimensional, if you can shut down Mbappe, France look blunt in attack.
France 1-0 Poland
64. Kiwior is having a nightmare in this second half.
Dembele is tearing him to shreds with his skill and pace.
The Poland manager may be considering a change on that left flank.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
