Netherlands v France LIVE: Euro 2024 result and final score after Xavi Simons goal denied by VAR check
Netherlands 0-0 France: Kylian Mbappe watched on from the bench as Simons saw a late strike disallowed for offside and Euro 2024 endured its first goalless draw
France and the Netherlands played out a 0-0 draw in their second Group D game of Euro 2024, a result that all but guaranteed both teams a place in the last 16.
Antoine Griezmann, captaining the side with Kylian Mbappe on the bench after breaking his nose against Austria, had an excellent chance in each half but twice stumbled over the ball.
Both sets of fans had cause to celebrate - the Dutch when Xavi Simons found the net in the second half and the French when the effort was ruled out for offside - and, despite both sides pushing for a winner, they had to be content with a point each.
France and the Netherlands are level on four points at the top of the group standings, with Austria on three, while Poland have no points and cannot advance. France face Poland in their final group game with the Dutch taking on Austria.
Follow all the latest on Mbappe and then updates from the game itself with our blog below:
Lineker labels Southgate ‘tactically inept’
“If anyone says that the England team is not trying or not giving 100 per cent, that is nonsense. They’re just a little bit lost tactically,” Lineker said.
“And that comes from the manager, I’m afraid. It really does. He’s got to get England playing higher up the pitch, as a unit. Because at the moment they’re not a unit. Are they not coached to play that?
“He talked about, ‘I’ve never been able to replace Kalvin Phillips. I thought, ‘Oh come on’. [Adam] Wharton could do that job easily. [Kobbie] Mainoo could do that job.
“I mean, you can think of all sorts of words and expletives if you like, but it was s***. Was it tactically inept? It’s really hard to be critical of Gareth Southgate because, overall in the England role, he’s turned England’s fortunes around in many ways.
“Having said that, he’s kind of ended up adopting a really talented bunch of players. We’ve done a semi-final of a World Cup final, a final at the European Championship, quarter-final of the subsequent World Cup where, to be honest, we were a little bit unlucky.”
Gary Lineker labels Gareth Southgate ‘tactically inept’ in extraordinary tirade on England manager
Gary Lineker branded Gareth Southgate “tactically inept” in an extraordinary attack on the England manager following the dismal 1-1 draw with Denmark at Euro 2024
Former England striker Lineker, who is usually reserved in his criticism while presenting on the BBC, made the comments on his The Rest is Football podcast and said the team’s performance was “s***”.
Lineker said it was “inexplicable” that England were unable to play a high press against Denmark and was scathing of Southgate’s tactics, while also rubbishing the manager’s suggestion that England lacked a replacement for midfielder Kalvin Phillips.
Gary Lineker labels Gareth Southgate ‘tactically inept’ in extraordinary tirade
The former England international and BBC presenter made the comments on hisThe Rest is Football podcast as he described the performance against Denmark as ‘s***’
England expects more for Southgate’s team
England’s status as one of the pre-tournament favourites took another hit as they turned in a lacklustre display to draw 1-1 with Denmark in Frankfurt on Thursday evening.
Gareth Southgate’s men were booed off the pitch after Harry Kane’s goal had been cancelled out by Morten Hjulmand’s piledriver, although it was the manner of the performance rather than the result which gave such cause for concern.
Nevertheless, they remain top of Group C, two points ahead of the Danes, and will secure top spot with victory over Slovenia, who conceded a stoppage time goal to draw 1-1 with Serbia, in Cologne on Tuesday.
There were no such difficulties for Spain, who joined Germany in the next round after a 1-0 win over Italy thanks to Riccardo Calafiori’s own goal.
Deschamps on Mbappe’s recovery
“Everything is going in the right direction after this major shock with the consequences,” said France manager Didier Deschamps when asked about Kylian Mbappe’s recovery from a broken nose.
“Yesterday he went out, he did a little activity. This will also be the case this evening. Things are moving in the right direction to ensure that he is available tomorrow.”
Kylian Mbappe injury latest as special mask set to be banned due to Euro 2024 rule
Kylian Mbappe unveiled a specially designed mask to protect his broken nose as the France captain targets a return to the pitch against the Netherlands at Euro 2024, but he may be banned from wearing it due to Uefa rules.
Mbappe broke his nose during France’s opening win over Austria on Monday night but the superstar forward returned to training on Thursday sporting a blue, white and red mask in display of the French tricolore.
However, Uefa rules state that “medical equipment worn on the playing field must be of a single colour” and “must not allow the team or manufacturer to be identified”.
Kylian Mbappe injury latest as special mask set to be banned due to Euro 2024 rule
France have prepared a range of protective masks for Mbappe to wear when he returns to the pitch during the Euros - but only some will meet Uefa’s guidelines
Gareth Southgate was ridiculed for Kalvin Phillips comment – but here’s why he was right
After a performance that induced anger from some of their more distinguished former players and drew boos from their supporters came a comment that opened the England manager up to derision. “We know we don’t have a natural replacement for Kalvin Phillips,” said Gareth Southgate.
To some, that is the Kalvin Phillips who made two league starts in 18 months at Manchester City, then went on loan to West Ham, gave a goal away on his debut, was sent off on his second start and whose time in London ended with the departure of the manager who signed him. That Kalvin Phillips?
Southgate was ridiculed for Phillips comment – here’s why he was right
Southgate has bemoaned a lack of options in midfield and underlined Trent Alexander-Arnold alongside Declan Rice as an ‘experiment’
Rob Page’s Wales reign comes to an end after disappointing 18 months
Rob Page’s Wales reign came to a conclusion after an unhappy 18 months that ended with a double dose of embarrassment against Gibraltar and Slovakia.
Page, who was first appointed manager on an interim basis in November 2020 after Ryan Giggs took leave and led Wales to the delayed European Championships the following summer, was sacked almost halfway through a four-year contract he signed in September 2022.
By that stage, the 49-year-old had guided Wales to their first World Cup in 64 years and everything appeared rosy heading to Qatar two months later.
Rob Page’s Wales reign comes to an end after disappointing 18 months
The 49-year-old was backed by the Football Association of Wales to continue in the role following Euro 2024 elimination in March.
John Carver wants Scotland squad to embrace importance of Hungary clash
John Carver wants the Scotland players to contemplate the country’s biggest ever victory when they face Hungary in their Euro 2024 crunch game on Sunday.
Scotland, who have never qualified for the knockout stages of a major tournament, have just one point from their first two Group A matches against Germany and Switzerland.
However, a win against Hungary in Stuttgart would almost certainly see Steve Clarke’s side into the last 16, a feat which would eclipse all the previous Scotland sides.
John Carver wants Scotland squad to embrace importance of Hungary clash
The Scots have never before got out of the group stages at a major tournament.
Euro 2024 kits: Every home and away shirt ranked and rated
Euro 2024 is upon us and with it comes a sartorial smorgasbord for us to enjoy, or be deeply offended by.
What have Croatia done this time? Have England pulled off a genuine gem? Why are Belgium wearing brown shorts? And which kit has won our highly coveted top spot?
Nike, Adidas, Puma, Macron, Joma and the good people at Hummel have dropped their designs so, without further ado, let’s get stuck in.
Remember, this is all a bit of fun as we go from worst kit all the way to best.
Ranked from the visually upsetting to the optically arousing, here is our list of Euro 2024 kits.
Euro 2024 kits: Every shirt ranked and rated
A needlessly detailed look at the kits on offer at this summer’s European Championship in Germany
Why Euro 2024 fans snapping spaghetti and breaking baguettes are just being good sports
It might surprise you to hear that despite being a huge Remainer, Europhile and general lefty, I have no problem with England fans ripping into Germany and other European countries in ways that some people might find offensive during the Euros.
During this competition, we’ve seen Austrian fans breaking baguettes in front of the French – and Albanians snapping spaghetti in front of Italians. And I hate to say it, but I think it’s beautiful. In some ways, sport and culture are where nationalism belongs. It’s only a problem when it creeps outside of that.
Watching England fans try currywurst, the slightly spicy German sausage – and almost unanimously declare that fish and chips is better – filled me with nothing but pride. Some of them said it was horrible; that it had nothing on a traditional English banger. But every one of them was willing to try it. All of them were happy to share in the culture of other countries and I loved that.
Read the full piece from Femi Oluwole:
Euro 2024 fans breaking baguettes are just being good sports | Femi Oluwole
During this competition, we’ve seen Austrian fans breaking bread (literally) in front of the French – and Albanians hitting the Italians where it hurts. I hate to say it, but I don’t think there’s anything wrong with a bit of healthy nationalism, admits Femi Oluwole
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