France v Poland LIVE: Euro 2024 result as Mbappe and Les Bleus left frustrated after Lewandowski penalty
France 1-1 Poland: Kylian Mbappe struck a penalty on his return, while wearing a mask, yet Robert Lewandowski's retaken spot kick forced Les Bleus to settle for second in the group
A Kylian Mbappe penalty was cancelled out by Robert Lewandowski’s spot kick as already-eliminated Poland held France to a 1-1 draw in Dortmund on Tuesday, meaning the French finish second in Group D.
Mbappe broke the deadlock in the 56th minute with his first European Championship goal and the first scored by a French player at Euro 2024 when he calmly slotted home a penalty given for Jakub Kiwior’s clumsy challenge on Ousmane Dembele.
But Dayot Upamecano brought down Polish substitute Karol Swiderksi, which allowed Lewandowski to level from the spot in the 79th minute after his first effort was saved by Mike Maignan, who was adjudged to have advanced off his line too early.
The draw means France finish second in Group D behind Austria and will face whoever comes second in Group E, where Romania, Belgium, Slovakia and Ukraine are all on three points.
Relive all the action and follow reaction from France v Poland and Netherlands v Austria below:
France 1-0 Poland, 67 minutes
Michal Probierz looks to his bench to try and get Poland back in it. Karol Swiderski and Michal Skoras replace Nicola Zalewski and Sebastian Szymanski.
Kylian Mbappe has France on course to top Group D
France 1-0 Poland, 64 minutes
Jakub Kiwior is struggling mightily with Ousmane Dembele’s dynamism. The Arsenal defender is skinned again and is fortunate that Dembele neither crosses nor shoots after zipping into advanced territory. Kylian Mbappe throws up a frustrated arm.
France 1-0 Poland, 58 minutes
A triple change for France: Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann and Eduardo Camavinga on; Bradley Barcola, Adrien Rabiot and N’Golo Kante off. With that will surely come a reshaping, with Kylian Mbappe pushed out to the left.
France 1-0 Poland, 58 minutes
With Austria back ahead in Berlin, France’s position looks ever stronger.
GOAL! FRANCE 1-0 Poland (Kylian Mbappe, 56 minutes)
Never in doubt!
Off comes the mask, off comes the roof in the French section of the stands. Cool, calm and collected from Kylian Mbappe, ensuring that Lukasz Skorupski can’t keep this effort out by sending the Poland goalkeeper the wrong way.
Didier Deschamps exhales in relief - it’s been hard graft but France have the lead and, as things stand, will top the group.
PENALTY!
A huge chance for France! Ousmane Dembele drives past Jakub Kiwior, who throws a foot between the charging forward’s legs. Down he goes - stonewall!
Marco Guida points to the spot, Kylian Mbappe grabs the ball...
France 0-0 Poland, 52 minutes
A slightly naughty one from Theo Hernandez as the sliding left-back flicks out a boot at the ankle of a clearing Poland player.
France’s substitutes have begun to warm-up in earnest. Olivier Giroud? Antoine Griezmann? It surely won’t be long before Didier Deschamps looks to his bench.
France 0-0 Poland, 49 minutes
More good work from Lukasz Skorupski. The Poland goalkeeper picks up from where he left off, first turning away a Ousmane Dembele cross-cum-shot before beating away a Kylian Mbappe effort.
He’s nowhere near Mbappe’s next attempt, but there isn’t the requisite curl on the shot to turn inside the post. Still Mbappe seeks his first goal at the Euros.
Second half...
The players re-emerge into the Dortmund sunshine, Kylian Mbappe breaking into a jog before he fixes his mask again. Can France find the goal they need to have a chance of topping the group? We’re back underway.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments