France's Path to Euro 2024 Round of 16
The French national team, led by Didier Deschamps, is on the brink of securing their place in the round of 16 at Euro 2024. France could qualify without even playing, depending on the outcomes of the matches between Albania and Croatia in Group B. If both Albania and Croatia fail to win their respective matches against Spain and Italy, France, with four points from two matches in Group D, would be guaranteed a spot as one of the four best third-place finishers, regardless of their result against Poland.
Tactical Stalemate Between France and the Netherlands
In a recent match, France and the Netherlands played to a 0-0 draw, a result that was seen as disappointing given the high expectations for the encounter. With Kylian Mbappé sidelined due to a broken nose, both teams seemed content with a point, leading to a match devoid of goals and excitement. This draw broke a streak of 50 consecutive games with goals in the Euro tournaments. The match was characterized by cautious play and a lack of high pressing, a tactical approach that has become more common in modern football.
Key Moments and Controversies
Despite the lack of goals, the match had its moments. Antoine Griezmann was the most dangerous player for France, although he failed to convert his opportunities. The Netherlands also had their chances, with Cody Gakpo's shot being a notable highlight. A significant controversy arose when the VAR disallowed a goal by Xavi Simons due to an offside by Denzel Dumfries, which added to the tension of the match. Both teams, however, seemed satisfied with the draw, which leaves them well-positioned to advance to the next round.
- The French team’s qualification scenario is quite straightforward. The top two teams from each of the six groups qualify for the round of 16, along with the four best third-place teams. With all matches in Group A completed, Hungary, the third-placed team, has three points, one less than France. This means France only needs one other third-placed team to have fewer points to secure their spot.
- In the match against the Netherlands, the absence of Kylian Mbappé was felt, but Antoine Griezmann stepped up as the main attacking threat. Despite creating several chances, he was unable to find the back of the net. The match saw both teams adopting a cautious approach, with neither side pressing high up the pitch. This style of play, reminiscent of basketball with its back-and-forth nature, resulted in a lack of clear-cut chances.
- The VAR decision to disallow Xavi Simons' goal was a pivotal moment in the match. The decision was based on Denzel Dumfries being in an offside position and interfering with the goalkeeper's ability to make a save. This incident highlighted the fine margins that can decide the outcome of high-stakes matches. Despite the draw, both France and the Netherlands are in strong positions to progress to the knockout stages of Euro 2024.
