Watch France vs Poland full match replay and highlights.
KICK-OFF at 16:00 (GMT) on 25th June 2024
The referee for this match is M. Guida
Game played at BVB Stadion Dortmund
This is a match in Europe – UEFA European Championship, Group D, Season 2024
France 1-1 Poland: Les Bleus Held as Poland Salvage Draw
In their first-ever UEFA European Championship head-to-head meeting, France and Poland battled to a 1-1 draw in Dortmund, resulting in Didier Deschamps’s men finishing as runners-up in Group D. Despite being the first team eliminated from the tournament, Poland displayed resilience and sharpness that belied their early exit.
First Half: Early Threats and Missed Opportunities
Poland started surprisingly well, showing no signs of their previous struggles. France, however, quickly mounted pressure with Theo Hernández and Ousmane Dembélé forcing Łukasz Skorupski into crucial saves. France’s offensive efforts, although persistent, continued to fall short against a well-organized Polish defense.
Poland, boosted by the return of Robert Lewandowski, saw their best chance of the half when the striker’s header, deflected by William Saliba, narrowly missed the left post. As the first half drew to a close, Skorupski emerged as Poland’s hero, denying Kylian Mbappé twice from close range.
Second Half: Goals and Drama
The second half resumed with France maintaining their attacking momentum. Mbappé’s curling shot was once again brilliantly saved by Skorupski. However, France finally broke through when Jakub Kiwior’s foul on Dembélé in the box awarded them a penalty. Mbappé confidently converted, netting his first European Championship goal after 23 attempts, a record among Les Bleus players since 1980.
France’s lead, however, was short-lived. With the final quarter-hour approaching, a VAR review confirmed a foul on Karol Świderski, awarding Poland a penalty. Though Mike Maignan initially saved Lewandowski’s attempt, he was penalized for stepping off his line. Lewandowski made no mistake on his second try, slotting the ball into the bottom left corner and becoming the only player to score in four consecutive Euro tournaments.
Key Moments
- Skorupski’s Heroics: The Polish goalkeeper made several crucial saves, particularly against Mbappé, keeping his team in the game.
- Mbappé’s Breakthrough: Scored his first European Championship goal from the penalty spot, breaking his long drought.
- Lewandowski’s Equalizer: Converted the penalty on his second attempt, maintaining his record of scoring in four Euro tournaments.
Implications
- France’s Missed Opportunity: By failing to secure a win, France missed the chance to top Group D. They still advance to the knockout stages but will need to address their inefficiencies in front of goal.
- Poland’s Resilience: Despite their elimination, Poland exited the tournament with pride, having held a strong French side to a draw and showcased their fighting spirit.
Conclusion
The 1-1 draw means France will need to regroup and find their scoring form ahead of the knockout stages. Poland, though heading home, can take solace in a strong finish against a top European side. France extends their undefeated streak to six games, but the missed opportunities in this match will serve as a reminder of the challenges that lie ahead in the tournament.