Mbappé and his minimalist teammates fail to score, ending in a group loss
Europe's champions-in-waiting, France, are still knocking on the opposition's door, but the goal remains elusive. In the third Euro match, the title-favorites failed to find the back of the net once again. Superstar Mbappé delivered a point, albeit not the win they needed. Poland, on the other hand, managed to keep France from winning Group D.
Mbappé's first Euro goal didn't clinch the top spot for France in the tough Group D. Playing for the French team despite a nasal bone fracture and wearing a mask, Mbappé, the new Real Madrid recruit, scored from a penalty kick in the 56th minute, putting France in the lead. However, Robert Lewandowski equalized for Poland, who had already been eliminated, with a penalty kick in the 79th minute, forcing a 1:1 (0:0) draw.
With 13 goals at World or European championships, Mbappé is tied with Just Fontaine (13). Only the legendary Michel Platini has scored more goals for France in major tournaments. In the Round of 16, France will face the second-place team from Group E. However, concern niggles the French team after the group stage matches as they've failed to score a single open-play goal. They won against Austria due to an own goal, and it was a scoreless draw against the Netherlands. With a talented player pool like Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembele, and more, it's hard to fathom. They've only conceded one goal.
Mbappé had a tough time adapting to playing with a face mask. The offensive ace seemed cautious in one-on-one situations. Just before halftime, the 25-year-old created two good chances, but Poland's goalie denied Mbappé his first tournament goal with quick reflexes.
Both teams delivered a moderately entertaining summer opener in the first round. Poland, who were already out, didn't shy away and aimed to give their 20,000 fans in the stadiumsomething to cheer about before the disappointing tournament ended.
For the first time in the Euro, Robert Lewandowski started in the lineup. The former Munich and Dortmund player had missed the opening game against the Netherlands due to a thigh injury, but came on as a substitute against Austria. Now, the Polish star was back, and that benefited his team. In the 34th minute, the bandaged Lewandowski came close to putting Poland ahead, but his header just missed the French post. Despite the disappointing Euro, the 35-year-old striker from Barcelona had already announced his intention to continue with the national team.
Lewandowski took a backseat against France in the second half, with Mbappé grabbing the limelight. The mask no longer seemed to affect Mbappé. Four minutes after the break, Mbappé missed another chance, but seven minutes later, he scored for the title contenders with a penalty kick after Ousmane Dembele was fouled.
France appeared to be on their way, but then Lewandowski made another appearance. At first, he failed against France's keeper Mike Maignan. However, since the goalkeeper had left the line too early, Lewandowski got a second chance and used it with another unconventional run to equalize. Both times, he aimed for the supposedly left corner.
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The opponents managed to keep France from scoring at the 'Gate' in the 'problem zone', preventing a group victory. In the thrilling match, Mbapp's 'minimalist' teammates struggled to find a way past Poland's defense, despite Mbapp's best efforts. The Polish 'opponent goalkeeper' denied Mbapp's first Euro goal with quick reflexes, keeping the score at a draw.
