France advanced to the round of 16 of the Euro Cup after drawing 1-1 with Poland, and although it is in the next phase, it left more doubts than certainties. ‘Les Bleus’ depended on themselves to win Group D, but their lack of forcefulness ruled them out.
In the first half they repeatedly tested Lukasz Skorupski, who started the match instead of Wojciech Szczesny, and the goalkeeper did not disappoint. The first of his seven saves came in the 11th minute after a low shot by Theo Hernández that the goalkeeper kicked out.
The Polish response came in the next play, the product of a corner that Kacper Urbański finished off at close range, but Mike Maignan managed to control the ball.
Little by little the French took possession and took advantage of the speed of Ousmane Dembélé and Bradley Barcola to surprise the rival defense; however, Skorupski and the defense were well positioned.
Kylian Mbappé He began testing the goalkeeper with long-distance shots, but none ended up in the nets.
It was not until the second half that the French managed to open the ‘Eagles’ defense. Dembélé entered the area, but Jakub Kiwior, in his eagerness to stop him, brought him down with a foul, enough for the maximum penalty to be awarded.
Mbappé took the ball and opened the scoring in the 56th minute in what was his first goal in the history of the Euro Cup, previously he had only registered two assists (2020).
Kylian Mbappé’s first goal in the Euro Cup finally arrived
It seemed that the game was under control, with a ‘Bleu’ attack that did not stop looking for the second goal until Dayot Upamecano fouled Karol Swiderski inside the area. Initially the center back let the play run, but after the VAR review the penalty was awarded to Poland.
Robert Lewandowski He was in charge of collecting it, but Maignan guessed the shot and rejected it. However, the goalkeeper had gone ahead and the penalty was repeated. The captain of the ‘Águilas’ decided to shoot from the same side, the ball hit the post and went into the net.
France could not recover from the blow and it was even Poland who came closest to victory although they did not achieve it and sealed their participation in the tournament with a draw.
Now, France will face the second place in Group E; while Austria, winner of the sector After defeating the Netherlands, they will face second place F.
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