(Leipzig) Kylian Mbappé watched as a substitute as France and the Netherlands played out the first 0-0 of Euro 2024.
Antoine Griezmann missed France’s best chances, while Xavi Simons was denied a goal on video in this first scoreless draw of the tournament played in Germany.
Both teams find themselves with four points at the top of Group D, making Poland the first nation officially eliminated from Euro 2024, by virtue of their 3-1 loss to Poland.
Mbappé suffered a broken nose in the tournament-opening 1-0 win over Austria. Coach Didier Deschamps was optimistic to be able to count on him, but judged that it was not worth taking any risks in this duel that France should not win at all costs.
France enjoyed their best chances after the break, when Aurélien Tchouaméni saw his header go over the crossbar, goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen stopped Griezmann from close range, and Ousmane Dembélé also missed a good luck.
Then, Xavi placed the ball in the back of the net in the 69the on a return throw from Memphis Depay blocked by Mike Maignan. The Dutch celebrations were short-lived, however, as Denzel Dumfries, offside, prevented Maignan from diving to stop the ball.