Kylian Mbappé scores the opening goal by penalty kick during a Group D match between France and Poland at Euro 2024 in Dortmund, Germany
Kylian Mbappé marked his return to the Euro 2024 stage with a penalty goal, but Robert Lewandowski responded in kind for Poland, leading to a 1-1 draw in their Group D match on Tuesday, June 25. This result, coupled with Austria’s victory over the Netherlands, positioned France as the second-place finisher in Group D, concluding their group stage journey with one win and two draws at Euro 2024.
Mbappé, playing with a protective mask after a recent nose injury, calmly converted a penalty in the second half, putting France ahead after a foul on Ousmane Dembélé in the Polish penalty area. This goal was significant as Mbappé’s first ever in a European Championship and the first actual goal scored by a French player in the tournament, with their only previous score being an own goal.
However, Poland’s star striker, Robert Lewandowski, making his first Euro 2024 start after recovering from a thigh injury, leveled the score with a penalty of his own just 11 minutes before the end of the match. Lewandowski’s initial penalty was saved by French goalkeeper Mike Maignan, but a retake was ordered due to Maignan moving off his line prematurely. The Polish captain made no mistake on his second attempt.
France’s second-place finish in Group D means they will now face the runner-up from Group E in the round of 16 next Monday in Duesseldorf. More crucially, this outcome places France in the same side of the knockout bracket as football powerhouses Portugal, Spain, and Germany, a challenging path they would have avoided by winning the group.
France’s performance in this Euro 2024 group stage, including the match against Poland, has been somewhat inconsistent and lacking the intensity expected from a team that was the runner-up at the 2022 World Cup. Significant improvement will be needed if they aspire to win Euro 2024. For Poland, already eliminated from Euro 2024 before this game, this draw provided a measure of pride and a positive note for their supporters.
Griezmann’s Absence and Tactical Adjustments
The match against Poland was notable not only for Mbappé’s comeback but also for Antoine Griezmann’s surprising absence from the starting lineup. Bradley Barcola was given his first international start, as coach Didier Deschamps opted for a front three familiar from Paris Saint-Germain.
Lewandowski, returning to Dortmund where he previously starred for Borussia Dortmund, missed a key opportunity in the first half, heading wide from a Piotr Zielinski cross. Mbappé appeared to take time to settle into the game, occasionally adjusting his mask in the humid conditions.
Théo Hernandez recorded France’s first shot on target, testing Polish goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski, who replaced Wojciech Szczesny. Towards the end of the first half, Mbappé began to find his rhythm, linking up with Barcola on the left and forcing Skorupski into saves.
Skorupski continued his impressive performance after halftime, denying a trademark Mbappé curler. However, he was helpless to prevent Mbappé’s penalty goal in the 56th minute, awarded after Jakub Kiwior fouled the pacey Dembélé.
Poland, however, responded and earned their own penalty when Karol Swiderski was fouled by Dayot Upamecano. After VAR review, the penalty was confirmed, and Lewandowski eventually converted on the retake, securing a draw for Poland against France in this Euro 2024 Group D encounter.
