Netherlands and France performed out the primary goalless draw of Euro 2024 in what was a tense and tight affair that neither facet appeared to need to lose.
Each side threatened on a number of events within the first half because the French facet, lacking their talisman in Kylian Mbappe, seemed to play the sport at their very own tempo, whereas the Dutch sought to utilise the guile of Xavi Simons, Memphis Depay and Jeremie Frimpong on the break.
Regardless of Antoine Griezmann fluffing his strains from six yards out after Adrian Rabiot unexpectedly squared him the ball, there have been few huge possibilities in a primary half the place neither facet actually obtained out of second gear.
The second half noticed Griezmann once more spurn France’s greatest alternative of the half, whereas Xavi Simons had a purpose harshly dominated out for Netherlands as Denzel Dumfries was judged to have blocked Mike Maignan from an offside place.
Though neither facet can be too happy with their efficiency, some extent sees each attain 4 factors and just about assure development to the knockouts.
In the meantime, Poland are confirmed as the primary facet out of Euro 2024, and Group D goes to the ultimate spherical of video games to determine which of Austria, France and Netherlands will high the group.
Speaking Level – Are France a menace with out Mbappe?
It was very a lot a case of no Mbappe no occasion for the match favourites who toiled away however created few possibilities. After an unconvincing win over Austria within the first recreation these two performances could nicely have uncovered just a few chinks within the French armour.
With thriller surrounding Mbappe’s health, this match could nicely have been blown vast open or this recreation might merely be the case of two sides settling for a outcomes which successfully ensures development to the knockout levels for each.
Participant of the Match – Dayot Upamecano (FRANCE)
Not the best high quality of video games however Upamecano did his defensive duties nicely for France and supplied some key moments within the first half the place the Dutch performed their extra threatening soccer. He remained sturdy within the problem and dealt nicely with the tempo Depay, Simons and Frimpong all through the sport which restricted Netherlands to minimal possibilities within the second half.
In a goalless draw like this it was clearly no fault of the defenders as to why his crew solely got here away with a single level.
Participant Rankings
Netherlands: Verbruggen 7, Dumfries 6, De Vrij 6, Van Dijk 6, Ake 5, Schouten 5, Reijnders 6, Frimpong 6, Simons 7, Gakpo 6, Depay 4. Subs: Geertruida 5, Wijnaldum 6, Veerman 5, Weghorst 5.
France: Maignan 7, Kounde 6, Upamecano 7, Saliba 6, Hernandez 5, Kante 7, Tchouameni 6, Rabiot 5, Dembele 5, Griezmann 6, Thuram 4. Subs: Coman 4, Giroud 5.
14’ IT SHOULD BE 1-0 FRANCE – What a chance for France! After a affected person little bit of play Rabiot is slipped in behind however, six yards out, opts to sq. it to Griezmann who falls to toes and utterly misses the ball!
65’ ANOTHER GOLDEN CHANCE FOR GRIEZMANN – France lastly create a transparent opening as Thuram spins his man, tees it off to Kante who slips Griezmann in on purpose once more. The captain, nevertheless, lunges on the ball and might’t put it previous Verbruggen.
69’ GOAL! – NETHERLANDS 1-0 FRANCE (SIMONS) – Simply because the French have been getting on high of this recreation Simons slams it dwelling from a rebound! However will it stand there is a flag for offside on Dumfries who was stood by Maignan. Was he interfering with play?
71’ GOAL DISALLOWED! – Dumfries is dominated to have interfered from an offside place. It took an terrible very long time and appears awfully harsh in opposition to the Dutch. It stays goalless.
