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June 25 – With his first-ever goal at a European championship, Kylian Mbappé, returning from injury, steered France to a disappointing 1-1 against Poland and second place in Group D.
Mbappé is never out of the headlines. On the eve of the tournament, the Frenchman called on his compatriots to vote in the elections; in France’s opening match, he sustained a broken nose, an injury that dominated the press before his goal-scoring return on Tuesday.
From the penalty spot, he netted his maiden goal at the continental finals, but with Les Bleus needing 236 minutes and a spot kick to get on the scoreboard, doubts over the team’s goalscoring remain.
Robert Lewandowski however cancelled out Mbappé’s goal with a penalty conversion of his own in the 79th minute, even if he needed two takes.
French goalkeeper Mike Maignan had come off his line too early according to the match officials. On his second attempt, the Polish striker tip-toed in again, picked the same corner again but got more power behind the ball to steer it past Maignan. It was harsh on the French keeper because Lewandowski had stuttered twice in his run-up.
Kylian Mbappe opened and closed the French scoring from the spot
Poland were level and France rattled, but in a tense finale, with the Polish supporters ramping up the decibels at the Westfalen Stadion, neither side could find a winner. As runners-up in Group D, the French will take on the runners-up in Belgium’s group.
The Euro 2000 winners had come into the match assured of a spot in the last 16 and they were boosted by the return of their talisman eight days after his injury.
Antione Griezmann, with concerns over his general fitness, and Marcus Thuram dropped to the bench. Poland’s own superstar Lewandowski made his tournament starting debut, but it was too little, too late. With two defeats from two, Poland were already eliminated and there was nothing – but pride – on the line for Lewandowski and co.
Under the Westfalen…
Source link : https://www.insideworldfootball.com/2024/06/25/mbappe-scores-france-stutter-stumble-next-round/
Author : Paul Nicholson
Publish date : 2024-06-25 19:09:30
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