France and Netherlands could not be separated after playing to a goalless draw in their Group D clash at EURO 2024 on Friday night.
EURO 2024
Result: Netherlands 0-0 France
Date: 21 June 2024
Venue: Leipzig Stadium
Talisman Kylian Mbappe was named on the bench after his broken nose against Austria, as Aurélien Tchouaméni was brought into the French midfield, while the Dutch handed a start to Jeremie Frimpong.
The game got off to a lively start as Frimpong nearly made his mark inside the first opening after breaking through on goal but he was denied by the outstretched arm of goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
Didier Deschamps' did see more of the ball thereafter but were let down by their decision-making as Adrien Rabiot squandered a glorious chance six yards by passing to Antoine Griezmann when he should've shot himself.
The encounter was evenly poised as the first half continued, but clear-cut chances were hard to come by at both ends of the pitch as the decision-making was not up to par.
Despite ending the half goalless, there was still no sign of Mbappe coming on for the second period but Ousmane Dembele and Marcus Thuram were livelier after the break.
France had another big chance to break the deadlock after 65 minutes when Dembele did well to pick out the run of Griezmann, who took one in the box before denied by a good save by goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.
The Netherlands had the ball in the back of the net a few minutes later when Xavi Simmons fired one into the far corner but after deliberation with the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), the goal was ruled out for an offside on Denzel Dumfries.
Neither side were able to find the goal in the latter stages of the encounter, as the European giants played to the first goalless draw of the tournament.
