Oranje and France play out the first 0-0 draw of Euro 2024
The Netherlands and France drew 0-0 in their Group D match of the European Championships on Friday night at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig. It is the first 0-0 of the tournament. Both sides now have four points in the group meaning that Oranje will only need a draw against Austria to officially secure their spot in the last 16.
With four points, it is likely that both sides are already through, as four of the best third-placed teams will also go through to the next round, in addition to the two best teams in the group.
Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman made one change to the side that beat Poland 2-1 in the opening match. Jeremie Frimpong came into the side, replacing Joey Veerman, which resulted in Xavi Simons being moved to the midfield. Kylian Mbappe, as was earlier reported, started on the bench for France due to a broken nose. Mbappe did not end up playing in the match.
Koeman's change almost paid dividends in the first minute of the match. Frimpong was sent through behind the defence in the first minute of the game. His shot was tipped wide by Mike Maignan in the France goal.
France missed a sitter in the 14th minute. Marcus Thuram back-heeled the ball into Adrien Rabiot's path. Rabiot was very close to the goal with space, but instead of shooting, he tried to lay the ball sideways to Antoine Griezmann. The ball ended up behind Griezmann, and the chance was gone.
Pundits predicted prior to the match that without Mbappe, Griezmann would be France's danger man. The Atletico Madrid forward found space in the box again a minute later. His attempt went wide of the goal.
Didier Deschamps's side missed another chance to take the lead in the 28th minute. A long ball found Thuram in behind the defence after Dutch defender Stefan de Vrij stepped up too late in an attempt to catch the attacker offside. However, Thuram's shot had too much power, ensuring that the match was 0-0 at halftime.
Oranje keeper Bart Verbruggen made a vital save in the 64th minute to keep his team level. Again, a back heel from Thuram started the attack, which ended with Griezmann receiving the ball in the box. The forward did not get the right connection on the shot, and Verbruggen stopped the shot using his legs.
Koeman's side thought they had taken the lead in the 69th minute. Memphis Depay's shot was saved by Maignan before Xavi Simons smashed the rebound into the bottom corner. Amidst the celebrations, referee Anthony Taylor spoke to his linesman, who then stuck the flag up. The goal was disallowed after a lengthy VAR review because Denzel Dumfries was judged to have obstructed Maignan in an offside position.
Neither side took many risks throughout the match, and both looked like they favored not losing over taking a risk for the win.
Oranje faces Austria in their last group-stage match in Berlin on Tuesday. Austria beat Poland 3-1 earlier in the day and has three points in the group. France faces the already eliminated Poland.
