While Austria created a surprise by bringing down the Netherlands, Skorupski stopped France in a draw decided by two penalties. France finished second in this group, not as easy as expected, and will have to face the best teams to lift the cup. Austria takes first place, for many it is a surprise. The Netherlands, with four points, are assured of being among the best third-placed teams.
Our analysis and the best photos from France-Poland and Austria-Netherlands.
We were waiting for Lewandowski, we feared Zielinski’s technique, Zalewski’s crazy races, we were treated to the consecration of Lukasz Skorupski, the Polish goalkeeper who, like Calafiori with Italy on Monday evening, was decisive and , is it a coincidence, the central defender and the goalkeeper both play in Bologna, the revelation of Serie A.
France had the balls to beat this Poland already with their suitcases packed, already with their heads on the Smeralda coast for some, on Formentera for others. But they came up against the Polish defense, which had nevertheless taken on water in their first two matches, they came up against Skorupski above all.
Didier Deschamps found his captain, Kylian Mbappé, who had to resolve his team’s current problem: finally scoring a goal. To score, Mbappé scored, the penalty converted in the 55th minute (Kiwior’s foul on Dembélé) even gave his team the advantage, but Poland came back, also from the penalty spot, with another great scorer, Lewandowski, who He was caught twice, Guida, the match referee, repeating the penalty even though Maignan had stopped the first shot (76th).
France, knowing the score of the match between Austria and the Netherlands, finished with the knife between its teeth, the Mâconnais Griezmann had the winning ball in the 88th, Skorupski was still there and during the stoppage time, the “VAR” studied the contact between Davidowicz and Mbappé, to no avail.
The match will end there, France has not found the solution against Poland and, for the moment, its attackers have not yet scored in a game. Is that worrying, doctor? Yes, but the remedy has been found. By first facing the Belgian neighbors, who have an open account with France since this famous semi-final of 2018, then by finding themselves on the paths of Spain and Germany it is, in our opinion, the best thing that could happen: no more calculation, no more thinking about the mask, the nose, no more doubt about who should play this or that position. It is often at these moments that France reveals itself. Not reassured? Ask yourself the following question: are Belgium, first, Spain and Germany, then, happy to face the blue 11 at this stage of the competition?
Meanwhile, in Berlin, Austria got the better of the Netherlands in a chase settled by Salitzer’s goal in the 80th. With this prestigious victory, the Austrians take first place under the nose (we will avoid) and under the beard (better) of France. The Batavians, despite this defeat, will be in the best third and we wish a lot of luck to the winner of the group who will have to face a team that is far from easy to play.
Vincent Brucci
(Photos Agence REUTERS)
In Dortmund, France and Poland draw, 1 to 1 (0-0)
Referee Marco Guida
Goals from Mbappé (pen) in the 56th and Lewandowski (pen) in the 79th
France: Maignan, Koude, Hernandez, Upamecano, Saliba, Tchouameni (Fofana), Kante (Camavinga), Rabiot (Giroud), Mbappe, Dembele (Kolo Muani) and Barcola (Griezmann).
Pologne : Skorupski, Frankowski, Zalewski (Skoras), Kiwior, Dawidowicz, bednarek, Szymanski (Swiderski), Moder, Zielinski, Lewandowski© et Urbanski
Photos from France – Poland:
Photos from Austria – Netherlands:
: Faced with Poland, France complicates the Euro and finishes behind Austria, winner of the Netherlands){kind=link}