FRANCE CANNOT MASK PROBLEMS

Mbappe returns against Poland to net his first Euro goal but team lack scoring touch

The welcome sight of the masked Kylian Mbappe back on the pitch could not disguise another under-par performance from France at Euro 2024, which raises questions about their chances of winning the competition.

Les Bleus are through to the last 16 after emerging unbeaten from the group stage, but their 1-1 draw with Poland in Dortmund on June 25 meant they finished second in Group D behind Austria.

Ironically, Austria are the only team the French have beaten so far in the competition, as they followed their 1-0 victory over Ralf Rangnick’s men with a 0-0 stalemate against the Netherlands before the drab draw with the group’s bottom side.

Didier Deschamps’ men scored 16 goals in seven matches at the 2022 World Cup, then netted 29 in eight qualifiers for the European Championship, albeit 17 of those came against Gibraltar.

However, they have failed to score a single goal in open play so far at this tournament, beating Austria thanks to an own goal before Mbappe’s penalty against Poland.

Their lack of goals is a concern for their coach.