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:
HT: France 0-0 Poland
Another frustrating half for France in front of goal with a member of Didier Deschamps’ squad still yet to score at this tournament. Some of their build-up play has been excellent but they’ve faced stern resistance from Lukasz Skorupski, seizing his opportunity in the Poland goal. Kylian Mbappe has warmed to his work on his return, testing Skorupski twice towards the end of the half, but as things stand it will be second spot for France with Austria’s one-goal advantage over the Netherlands enough to secure their place at the top of the group.
France 0-0 Poland, 45 + 1 minutes
Into two additional minutes. Prezemyslaw Frankowski sweeps the legs of Bradley Barcola to grant France a chance to load the box. Can Ousmane Dembele deliver something useful?
Not really - too close to Lukasz Skorupski, who fittingly has the last touch of the half.
France 0-0 Poland, 44 minutes
France are edging closer. Theo Hernandez gets on to a clever Kylian Mbappe through ball but picks out a covering Nicola Zalewski rather than one of three wainting team mates.
Mbappe then latches on to a one-two and is denied again by the busy Lukasz Skorupski. The Poland goalkeeper has had plenty to do in this half but his goal remains, so far, unbreached.
France 0-0 Poland, 42 minutes
Nearly for Kylian Mbappe! The skipper rushes in to take the ball off the toe of first mate Bradley Barcola and almost prods past Lukasz Skorupski, who throws out a timely, tipping hand to push past the post.
France 0-0 Poland, 37 minutes
A sore one for Kacper Urbanksi as Dayot Upamecano plants one of his big Size 13s down on the Poland forward’s foot. He’s up and amongst things again without requiring treatment, and soon back inside his box as a deflected effort earns France a corner.
A bit of pinball in the area ends with the ball bouncing within swinging distance of William Saliba. A right-footed hook is executed elegantly enough but sends the ball a couple of yards over the top.
France 0-0 Poland, 34 minutes
A vital touch from William Saliba! Robert Lewandowski is left all alone in the France box and directs his header towards the far corner. It looks bound for the back of the net but for a faint brush of Saliba’s boot, a flick that goes unspotted by the referee to Lewandowski’s frustration.
France 0-0 Poland, 32 minutes
Kylian Mbappe keeps the flow going in a France move that builds to the edge of the Poland box, but Jules Kounde can’t connect with those ahead of him.
France 0-0 Poland, 29 minutes
The players pause for a Uefa-mandated drinks break, with the temperature nudging up towards 30 degrees on a balmy evening in Dortmund. Didier Deshamps offers some tactical instruction to Adrien Rabiot, who has had a slightly untidy start.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments