The French team has its destiny between its feet. With four points on the clock after two days, the Blues are already qualified for the round of 16 of the Euro. It remains to be seen where the French team will finish in Group D. The French could just as well finish first, second or third. Finishing in one of the top two places in the group would ensure they face a group runner-up in the round of 16. Finishing third would place France facing a group leader. Finally, the mission is simple: beat Poland, already eliminated.
The Blues first in their group if…
Accustomed to third group matches without stakes, because they often qualify after two matches, the Blues do not have this luxury this time. To finish first, here is their mission: to achieve a better result than the Netherlands, who face Austria at the same time. Concretely, if France wins while the Dutch draw or lose, first place is assured. If the Netherlands also win, the Blues must score more goals. If the two teams draw, again it will be decided by the number of goals scored. On the other hand, if France loses and Austria wins, the Blues would be third in their group. Any other scenario would send the French to second place.
N’Golo Kanté, the lucky charm
If his return to the Blues for this Euro 2024 initially created a surprise, N’Golo Kanté has since set the record straight: twice elected man of the match for the French’s first two matches at this Euro, the midfielder of land has once again become essential. At 33, the midfielder from Al-Ittihad (Saudi Arabia) has returned to his place in the French midfield, as if he had never left. In 17 matches in major tournaments (World Cup and Euro), N’Golo Kanté has never lost. The 2018 world champion remains on 12 wins and five draws. Only downside: elimination on penalties in the round of 16 of Euro 2021.
Poland eliminated but revengeful
Beaten from the start by the Netherlands (2-1), then by Austria during their second meeting in this Euro (3-1), the Poles are already eliminated from the competition, they who had had to go through the play-offs to qualify. With zero points on the clock, Robert Lewandowski’s teammates want to save honor against the Blues, who beat them in the round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup, in Qatar.