KYLIAN MBAPPE could not mask France’s finishing issues.
Despite returning to the side with a goal from the spot – his first at a Euros – the superstar could not help his side to the dominant score they should have earned as they were held to a draw by Poland.
Robert Lewandowski pulled earned their point from his own spot kick, which means the French finish second in Group D.
It is the first time since 2012 that they have not claimed top spot in their group at a major tournament and they are now dumped into the same side of the draw as Germany, Portugal and Spain.
Should they progress from the Round of 16, they would most likely play Portugal in the quarter-finals, before then taking on Germany or Spain in the semi-finals.
Mbappe was sharp and created plenty, but once again France failed to finish off the chances they racked up.
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The French skipper returned in place of Marcus Thuram, while Antoine Griezmann – guilty of missing the two best chances on Friday – was replaced by Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola, making his first-ever start for France.
Poland were already out, but were able to call Lewandowski into the starting XI for the first time in Germany.
Despite having not scored a goal of their own in the two games so far – the winner against Austria being an own-goal – Les Bleus kicked off knowing they were already into the last 16.
The hopes for sorting out their form in front of goal rested on how well Mbappe adapted to his mask – something a hoard of photographers lined up to get a shot of after the national anthems.
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France made a shaky start.
Most concerning for Didier Deschamps was that, having been so solid in the first two games, his men were now giving up as many chances as they were conceding.
Theo Hernandez and Ousmane Dembele had early chances, both sent straight at the goalkeeper, but so did Poland.
Piotr Zielinski and Kacper Urbanski both tested Mike Maignan before Lewandowski, back at the ground where he spent four years as a player a decade ago, sent a free header wide.
Mbappe had been quiet early on, but was picking his moments – just as he always does.
He should have been allowed to run free down the left after being pulled back by Nicola Zalewski, but ref Marco Guida did not play advantage.
The talisman was also twice denied by Polish keeper Lukasz Skorupski, both attempts teed up by Barcola before the break.
Having come into the game late in the first half, Mbappe tried to take the initiative from the restart.
In the space of a minute he sent one effort over the bar with his left, drew a diving saving with his right before rolling another just wide of the far post.
While Mbappe was taking centre stage, he still needed teammate Dembele to win him a spot kick to get his goal.
Dembele was cut down just inside the box by Arsenal’s Jakub Kiwior, allowing the No10 to mark his return with his first goal of the summer – slotting low to the right with the keeper sent the wrong way.
There were further chances to add to the lead, Barcola saw an effort saved at the near post after a run from deep in his own half having won possession.
Hernandez sent another low cross through the box with no one to meet it – more costly mistakes.
After wasting chances in Leipzig France were let off thanks to an offside decision supported by VAR, but the tech punished them here.
Italian ref Guida waved away Polish protests when sub Karol Swiderski was brought down by Dayot Upamecano, but he was sent to the screen and changed his mind.
The problems did not stop there. Maignan saved Lewandowski’s first attempt, but VAR pointed out he had stepped off his line too early.
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Poland were ordered to go again and this time, in the same spot, Lewandowski got the job done.
France are through, but the all-conquering side in Europe of the last few years head into the knockouts with plenty of problems.
Who is Euro 2024’s sexiest star?
EURO 2024 has something for everyone from stunning goals, thrilling matches… and the continent’s biggest hunks, writes Jack Figg.
Several stars have lit up the group stages with their skills on the pitch – but others are also catching the eye for their looks.
But who is the sexiest?
Thankfully AI boffins have carried out an analysis on the facial attractiveness of all players at the tournament.
And it’s bad news for Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions who are the fourth UGLIEST in the competition – one place below Scotland.
In fact it’s England’s group rivals Serbia who have fans swooning the most – boasting an average score of 77.90/100 with defender Strahinja Pavlovic deemed their most attractive.
While Turkey defender Mert Muldur has been ranked as the tournament’s BEST-LOOKING player.
But who is England’s sexiest star, and who makes the Euros’ hunkiest XI? Read our full story.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
