Euro 2024: Mbappe-less France draw with Netherlands; Ukraine record emotional win
France drew 0-0 against the Netherlands without Kylian Mbappe as both teams took a step closer to the last 16 of Euro 2024 on Friday, while Ukraine earned an emotional win over Slovakia.
Mbappe watched from the bench as an unused substitute in Leipzig, the new Real Madrid recruit forced to wear a mask in training this week after breaking his nose in France’s opening game of the tournament.
Didier Deschamps included Mbappe in his matchday squad but elected not to risk his star striker, with qualification for the knockout phase largely assured.
Dutch midfielder Xavi Simons had a goal controversially ruled out for offside in the second half, while Antoine Griezmann, captaining France in Mbappe’s absence, was guilty of missing his team’s two best chances.
Simons thought he had fired the Netherlands ahead with 20 minutes left but Denzel Dumfries was deemed to be interfering with France goalkeeper Mike Maignan and the goal was disallowed after a lengthy VAR check.
Poland, who lost 3-1 to Austria in Berlin, became the first team dumped out following the draw between France and the Netherlands in the late Group D fixture.
France play the eliminated Poles in their final group match on Tuesday. They are level on four points at the top with the Dutch, who face Austria at the same time.
Ukraine’s players shed tears of joy as the team playing in their first international tournament since Russian forces invaded in February 2022 came from behind to beat Slovakia 2-1 to move second in Group E.
Their first win of Euro 2024 also earned a message of congratulations from the country’s president Volodymyr Zelensky.
Roman Yaremchuk came off the bench to hit the winner in Duesseldorf.
After a bruising 3-0 defeat by Romania in their opener, Ukraine showed spirit to fight back with Mykola Shaparenko levelling early in the second half following Ivan Schranz’s opener.
Poland, who lost 3-1 to Austria in Berlin earlier in the day, became the first team dumped out despite the return of talisman Robert Lewandowski from a thigh injury.
Lewandowski, who missed Poland’s opening loss to the Dutch, came on as a substitute but could not help his team make inroads against Ralf Rangnick’s sturdy Austrian side.
Poland striker Krzysztof Piatek levelled Gernot Trauner’s opener, but Christoph Baumgartner and Marko Arnautovic’s second-half goals earned Austria three vital points.
After their second defeat of the tournament, Poland coach Michal Probierz insisted Lewandowski was fit to play.
Lewandowski came on in the 60th minute with the game level at 1-1 but could not inspire his team as Austria ran out convincing winners.
Austria dominated the opening stages and Trauner powered home a header at the near post.
Piatek levelled for Poland after half an hour, staying calm in the box when a rebound fell his way. Around the hour mark Probierz sent on Lewandowski.
Showing little concern about his injury, the forward charged around and quickly picked up a booking.
Austria regained the lead after 67 minutes when Arnautovic cleverly stepped over a pass received by Baumgartner, who stroked into the bottom corner.
Veteran captain Arnautovic, 35, sealed the win with a late penalty after Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny felled Marcel Sabitzer.
