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 vs Poland
And here’s where you can follow along with all of the goings on in the group’s other game, with the Netherlands eyeing top spot. Chris Wilson will be your guiding voice through it - flick it up on another tab and bounce between us as we hurtle towards the knockout rounds.
Netherlands v Austria LIVE: Line-ups and team news from Euro 2024
Ronaldo Koeman’s Netherlands side face one of Euro 2024’s dark horses in Austria, with top spot in Group D still up for grabs
Group D permutations
Here is a reminder of all of the permutations you need to know ahead of Group D’s denouement:
Euro 2024 group permutations and third-place standings explained
Euro 2024 group standings, permutations, and the ranking of the third-placed teams as the final round of fixtures continues with Group C and Group D
Poland team news: Wojciech Szczesny left out
A change in goal for Poland with Lukasz Skorupski preferred to Wojciech Szczesny.
Poland XI: Skorupski; Bednarek, Dawidowicz, Kiwior; Frankowski, Syzmanski, Zielinski, Moder, Zalewski; Urbanski, Lewandowski
France team news: Kylian Mbappe starts
Big news for France: Kylian Mbappe is fit to start. The forward returns to the French side to face Poland with Bradley Barcola also brought in to the front line.
France XI: Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Hernandez; Tchouameni, Kante, Rabiot; Dembele, Mbappe, Barcola.
Olivier Giroud and Antoine Griezmann close in on French record
Provided both are involved this evening, Olivier Giroud and Antoine Griezmann will make their 14th appearance at a European Championship for France. Only Lilian Thuram (16) and Hugo Lloris (15) have featured more times for the nation at the tournament.
Robert Lewandowski warns Kylian Mbappe over mask
Robert Lewandowski sported a protective mask after suffering a facial injury while at Bayern Munich in 2015, and can thus offer some advice on what the Frenchman can expect if he does, as expected, don one while featuring tonight.
“It’s tough, especially for strikers who move around the penalty box,” Lewandowski cautioned. “I remember well that I had problems to react and to see the ball and the opponents.”
France vs Poland: Robert Lewandowski hints at continuing international career
Poland‘s Robert Lewandowski has no intention of retiring from international football after his side’s disappointing Euro 2024 campaign and is ready to play a full 90 minutes against France tonight.
With Poland having little but pride to play for in their final game, having become the first team to be eliminated from the European Championship on Friday, there were questions about the 35-year-old Lewandowski’s international future.
Midfielder Kamil Grosicki, 36, has announced the France match will be his last for Poland, while 34-year-old goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has reportedly said he plans to retire from international duty after Euro 2024.
But Lewandowski -- Poland‘s most capped player and all-time record goalscorer, with 82 goals in 151 appearances -- insisted he wants to continue and play alongside a new generation of Polish footballers.
“I’m 36 years old soon. A lot of people will be wondering how long I will play for, but I still have that fire inside of me and no one from outside will be able to affect my decision,” he told reporters on Monday.
“One day, maybe I’ll wake up and think maybe it’s time to think about retiring from international duty. But today I feel and I see that this team has a future, that despite this European Championship we have built something here.
“We have constructed something here. I see the potential in this team. I see a lot of young players emerging.”
Good afternoon
France take on Poland in a Group D decider at Euro 2024, with Kylian Mbappe looking to return to the pitch with his mask after missing the draw with Netherlands.
Les Bleus survived a controversial VAR decision as they settled for a 0-0 draw with the Netherlands, leaving both sides with four points. It means France and the Netherlands, who taken on Austria in Group D, are already through to the last-16 and now face a race to top the group and earn a more favourable path to the Berlin final.
Didier Deschamps will be hoping for an improved performance against Poland, who are already out of contention following a 3-1 defeat to Austria. France missed Mbappe in the Netherlands stalemate, with the fitness of their captain dominating headlines once again ahead of the final match in the group. Mbappe has returned to full training after breaking his nose in the opening win over Austria.
Follow live scores and updates as France take on Poland looking to beat Netherlands and Austria to top spot, while you can also follow updates from the other key clash in Group D
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