With top spot in Group D up for grabs in the scorching Ruhr Valley heat, Kylian Mbappe, who completed the Ninja Turtle look by sporting a mask to protect his broken nose, stayed calm as he slotted home from the penalty spot in the second half, putting France seemingly on course for a comfortable victory over a Poland side with nothing to play for.
Real Madrid’s latest recruit had plenty of chances to see off the Polish resistance once and for all in Dortmund, but further profligacy from a team without a goal from open play all tournament proved costly, as another more seasoned pro, at home with carrying his country on his back, spoiled the party. Second place in the group is no disaster, but the concerns over French potency, present pre-tournament, are not going away.
Other than a scuffed Kacper Urbanski effort early on, France goalkeeper Mike Maignan should have brought his beach towel for the first half in the hope of beating the locals to the sunloungers in the iconic Westfalenstadion.
Denne historien er fra June 26, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.
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Denne historien er fra June 26, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.
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Ten-man Forest earn draw in feisty battle at the Bridge
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'No one should live with threat of domestic abuse'
Dermot O'Leary backs Independent campaign for a refuge
