Euro 2024, France-Poland 1-1: Mbappé breaks the deadlock, but Deschamps finishes in second place
France did not go beyond a 1-1 draw against already eliminated Poland, finishing in second place in Group D of Euro 2024, behind Austria and ahead of the Netherlands. An almost sensational result in Dortmund where the Polish goalkeeper Skorupski was the protagonist of at least five decisive interventions on Mbappé before capitulating in the 55th minute only on a penalty kick from the French captain. Deschamps’ France did not close the score and ten minutes from the end they conceded the equalizer from Lewandowski again on a penalty kick, repeated after Maignan’s first save.
Euro 2024, Holland-Austria 2-3: Sabitzer leads to group victory, Orange third
On the last day of group D of Euro2 024, Austria beat the Netherlands 3-2 and took an unexpected first place in the group (thanks to the 1-1 draw between France and Poland). The match in Berlin was decided by Malen’s own goal (6′) and by goals from Schmid (59′) and Sabitzer (80′): Gakpo (47′) and Depay (75′) were not enough for the Dutch. Painless defeat for Koeman’s Orange: with 4 points, they are already certain of advancing as one of the best third-placed teams.
Denmark advances thanks to the difference in yellow cards! Serbia last and eliminated
Denmark is the one to qualify for the round of 16 as runner-up behind England in Group C of Euro2024. For coach Kasper Hjulmand’s team, it is not so much this evening’s 0-0 draw against Serbia that is decisive but rather the play-off criteria with Slovenia (which also came out with a 0-0 in the last scheduled match against the National Tre Lions).
The two teams, in fact, closed their journey in the group with three draws in three games. With perfect parity, obviously, in the direct clash, but also in the number of goals scored and conceded in the challenge and in the general count of the group (2 goals scored and as many conceded).
Therefore, the disciplinary score is decisive for Denmark, having received five yellow cards compared to 6 for Slovenia, who at this point will use the repechage as one of the four best third-placed teams to reach the next phase of the tournament. Serbia, on the other hand, was eliminated and was very disappointed in the group with just 2 points and only one goal scored in three matches. In the next round, Denmark will face a high difficulty coefficient against the hosts Germany on Saturday 29 May at 9pm at Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund.
England disappoints again but finishes in first place: Slovenia also celebrates with the 0-0
England-Slovenia ends 0-0. The start-up is quite soporific. The 4-4-2 set up by Kek doesn’t give the English any space, and in truth they don’t do much to take it. And in fact the first scoring opportunity goes to Slovenia, a double opportunity for Janza who first gives England shivers with a cross shot and then a free kick, sending the ball just wide of the goal defended by Pickford.
To see the Three Lions’ first chance, you even have to wait until the last ten minutes of the first half. Foden shoots from a dead ball, but Oblak is attentive and blocks in two stages. Trippier, shortly afterwards, puts a tricky ball into the area but neither Gallagher nor Kane manage to push it into the net. And so the first half of the game ends goalless.
In the second half things don’t change. Actually, maybe yes, but for the worse. England begins to keep the ball, but practically never manages to enter the penalty area. Thanks, clearly, also to the very narrow lines of Slovenia. It becomes a sort of attack versus defense training, but always at the same pace: low. Southgate finally also puts on Palmer, who enters well, but can’t do much on his own.
And so the second half, and therefore the match, ends like this, 0-0. Slovenia is the one celebrating, passing through the group as the best third. England, with a better result, the top of the group, leaves with their heads down. Starting with coach Southgare, aware of the criticism that will continue to rain down on him in the coming days.
