Lewandowski scores as Poland hold Kounde’s France in Group D finale
Lewandowski scores as Poland hold Kounde’s France in Group D finale
The only Barcelona duel of the Euro 2024 group stages ended with a 1-1 draw between Robert Lewandowski’s Poland and Jules Kounde’s France in the Group D finale in Dortmund. The Poles were already eliminated but still fought hard to avoid a third defeat in the group stage with Lewandowski scoring from the spot to rescue a point late on, while the French once again played below expectation and have finished in second place behind Austria.
Poland were playing for nothing but pride having already been eliminated, and that sense of freedom combined with Lewandowski’s return to the starting lineup led to the Poles playing their best football of the tournament in the opening period, passing the ball well from the back, pressing well high up the pitch and creating danger with crosses and set pieces.
Lewandowski was crucial to Poland’s play with his hold-up and link-up play, and he had a big chance with a header that went agonizingly wide thanks to a deflection from William Saliba. France, on the other hand, were poor and sloppy in possession and offered almost nothing going forward for almost the entire half, with the absence of Antoine Griezmann clearly felt in the final third.
In the final five minutes, however, the French finally created chances as Kylian Mbappé found himself one-on-one with the keeper several times, but Lukasz Skorupski made at least three big saves to keep his clean sheet intact at halftime. There were no goals at the break but the game was entertaining, and Les Bleus would look to increase the pressure and find the winning goal in the second half.
France were much improved to start the final period, with Mbappé continuing to fire shots on goal and the team around him much stronger in and out of possession. And their good play was rewarded 10 minutes into the half when Jakub Kiwior fouled Ousmane Dembélé inside the box, and Mbappé scored the penalty with ease to put the French ahead.
Didier Deschamps looked to capitalize on his team’s superiority and made a triple change at the hour mark with Antoine Griezmann, Olivier Giroud and Eduardo Camavinga all coming on looking to help wrap up the win and secure top spot in the group. France couldn’t maintain their momentum, however, and allowed Poland to grow into the game again.
Then came a giant chance with 15 minutes to go when Dayot Upamecano fouled Karol Swiderski inside the box, and Lewandowski had his penalty saved by Mike Maignan at first before a retake was ordered due to the goalkeeper moving off his line before the strike. Lewandowski stayed composed and didn’t miss at the second opportunity, and gave his nation a shot to rescue a point while also causing chaos in the group.
France had very little time to find a winner and claim first place and sent everyone forward, while Lewandowski played an important defensive role in set pieces as Poland looked to avoid defeat. The final whistle came without another goal for either side, and Les Bleus disappointed once again and will move on to the knockout stages by finishing in second place.