Bottom – France: lacking efficiency, the Blues concede a draw but get closer to qualifying for the round of 16

Injured in the nose, Kylian Mbappé remained on the bench as a precaution on Friday evening and did not take part in the draw between the Netherlands and France (0-0).

Just four days after the tough match against Austria, we wondered how the Blues would respond in the physical challenge against the Netherlands, who had benefited from 30 hours of additional recovery. And in this clash of Group D of Euro 2024, between the two most anticipated nations, Didier Deschamps’ men took the upper hand, Friday June 21, without ever finding the fault. In an unprecedented organization and without Kylian Mbappé, who remained on the bench, the France team lacked efficiency for too long, conceding a frustrating draw (0-0). First place in the group will be decided on the last day, Tuesday.

Without the star striker of the France team – who had a black and neutral mask meeting the rules, but which was spared – Didier Deschamps had chosen to try a different system, by aligning Antoine Griezmann in support of Marcus Thuram up front, and with Adrien Rabiot in the left winger role. A system which did not entirely succeed for the Blues, who sometimes seemed lost in midfield and struggling to get the ball out.

The Netherlands did not wait for the French machine to adjust to give them a first warning, at no cost thanks to an exceptional save from Mike Maignan against Jeremie Frimpong in the first minute. The French goalkeeper was decisive once again, fifteen minutes later, with an impeccable release on a shot from Cody Gakpo, while he was masked at the start of the ball.

The offensive players of the France team were not decisive. The Blues, however, multiplied the chances, including a first which should have ended in the back of the net a quarter of an hour into the game, but on which Adrien Rabiot, alone in front of goal, was too altruistic by shifting Antoine Griezmann who couldn’t resume. And the lack of efficiency already pointed out after the first match against Austria was repeated later in the game.

A header from Griezmann ended in the gloves of the Oranje goalkeeper just before the break (43rd). Marcus Thuram’s long shot did not go far from the post on the hour mark (60th). A header from Aurélien Tchouameni also went over the bar a few minutes later. Then an attempt by Antoine Griezmann, less than six meters at the end of the race, was masterfully deflected by Bart Verbruggen (65th).

The Blues even had a big scare and could have lost the match in the 70th minute, with a goal ultimately disallowed for offside by the Netherlands, while Denzel Dumfries hampered Mike Maignan to intervene on a shot on target from Xavi Simons . They may, however, harbor regrets after dominating the match, but the main thing is elsewhere: they are in a favorable position for qualification for the round of 16, since they will finish third in Group D at worst, with four points. And since Euro 2016 and the move to 24 teams, all nations with four points at the end of the group stage have qualified.