France blew the possibility to complete first of their group regardless of Kylian Mbappe scoring his maiden European Championship objective in a 1-1 draw with Poland on Tuesday, as Austria gained a thriller in opposition to the Netherlands to grab high spot.
Didier Deschamps’ France didn’t high their group at a significant event for the primary time since Euro 2012 after being made to pay for a collection of missed possibilities.
“We’ve achieved our first goal,” mentioned Deschamps. “Even when we don’t have the spot we had been aiming for as a result of we’re second. A brand new competitors is about to begin.”
Austria, who misplaced their opening sport to France, grabbed a 3-2 victory over the Dutch to wrap up a last-16 berth and relegate their already-qualified opponents to 3rd place in Group D.
France dominated for lengthy intervals in opposition to Poland however have nonetheless solely scored twice in Germany — an personal objective by Austria’s Maximilian Woeber and Mbappe’s penalty.
Les Bleus will face the runners-up from Group E, by which Belgium, Ukraine, Romania and Slovakia all have three factors, within the final 16.
Poland goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski, taking part in rather than Wojciech Szczesny, made two wonderful stops to disclaim Mbappe — taking part in in a masks after breaking his nostril in opposition to Austria — within the opening interval.
Mbappe lastly broke his Euros duck within the 56th minute, although, as he slotted in a penalty after Ousmane Dembele was felled by an ill-advised problem from Jakub Kiwior simply contained in the field.
However Poland had been awarded a spot-kick themselves with 13 minutes remaining for a foul on Karol Swiderski.
Robert Lewandowski’s weak preliminary effort was comfortably saved by Mike Maignan, however the France goalkeeper had strayed off his line and the Poland talisman dispatched his second try.
– Austria energy by means of –
Dutch followers turned Berlin orange as they continued to mild up the event, nevertheless it was the Austrians in full voice early on as their staff had been rewarded for an enterprising begin when Donyell Malen inadvertently fired into his personal internet.
Malen’s day took one other flip for the more severe when he dragged a poor shot extensive when clear by means of on objective inside the world.
However the Netherlands drew degree lower than two minutes after the restart, as Austria midfielder Florian Grillitsch misplaced the ball in midfield earlier than Cody Gakpo reduce inside and completed off a fast counter-attack.
Simply because the Oranje began to get on high, Austria reclaimed the lead as Romano Schmid’s header discovered the online through a deflection off Stefan de Vrij on the road.
Memphis Depay struck with a superb contact and volley to equalise once more after a very good header down by substitute Wout Weghorst.
However one of many video games of the event was not achieved but and Marcel Sabitzer hammered dwelling to place Austria in entrance for the third time within the 81st minute.
Ralf Rangnick’s males now have a match in opposition to both Turkey, the Czech Republic or Georgia to look ahead to as they bid to achieve the quarter-finals for the primary time.
The Netherlands will play the winners of both Teams B, C or E.
– Underwhelming England out to silence critics –
In a while Tuesday, England will try and take high spot in Group C and keep away from a last-16 assembly with hosts Germany after they face Slovenia in Cologne.
Gareth Southgate’s facet struggled for his or her greatest kind in a 1-0 win over Serbia and a stodgy 1-1 draw with Denmark, however would safe first place with a victory.
England have been extensively criticised again dwelling, with Harry Kane hitting out at TV pundits and former England strikers Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer.
“Our efficiency must speak for itself,” mentioned Southgate. “It’s essential to reply the questions in addition to I can however I will likely be judged on the way in which the staff play.”
Slovenia could must win with the intention to attain the knockout part of a significant event for the primary time.
Denmark can safe qualification with a draw in opposition to Serbia, who’re degree with Slovenia on one level of their maiden Euros as an unbiased nation.
Croatia, who had been held to an agonising 1-1 draw with Italy on Monday, will likely be eradicated if England don’t win 3-0 or by 4 objectives.
AFP