The match against the Netherlands was supposed to demonstrate France’s ability to triumph over formidable opponents even without Kylian Mbappé. However, instead of dispelling doubts, their performance left lingering questions. Despite being the first goalless draw of the tournament, the game was lively and brimmed with opportunities. Most chances favored the favorites, but as the missed opportunities piled up, Mbappé’s absence became more conspicuous.
If the stakes had been higher, Mbappé would likely have been called upon to rescue a team struggling to find the net. Didier Deschamps hinted at this possibility post-match, but this encounter was always more about testing waters than a true battle. The group stage provides little risk for genuine contenders, and Mbappé, notably without the golden bib worn by other substitutes, remained on the bench, his broken nose deemed too risky to aggravate.
Looking ahead, the question remains whether Mbappé will have the opportunity to regain his form when France faces Poland, already eliminated, in their bid to top Group D on Tuesday.
I wasn’t bluffing at all,” said Deschamps, who had left open the possibility Mbappé might play after being fitted with a face mask for his injury. “He’s getting better and if it had been a decisive game this evening then maybe I’d have thought twice about him playing or not. He took a nasty blow, he’s got a bruise and will have to wear a mask. With every day that passes we’re getting to a point where we want to be. I thought the wiser decision was to keep him on the bench.”
Mbappé had uncharacteristically
missed a sitter against Austria
before taking that grievous knock for his troubles, but he must have been straining at the leash for a go at one of the openings France spurned in either half. Antoine Griezmann was particularly culpable and they were almost punished as proceedings entered their final 20 minutes.
The flag went up quickly after Xavi Simons, rifling in from 14 yards after Mike Maignan had denied Memphis Depay, briefly wheeled away in celebration. Denzel Dumfries, who was well offside, had been standing directly to Maignan’s left as the ball flashed past him on that side. The assumption was that he had impeded the keeper’s ability to dive and VAR set to work in rubber-stamping the call.
It was upheld after a wait of almost three minutes that culminated in Anthony Taylor calling Griezmann and Virgil van Dijk, the captains, across to run them through the rationale. The decision itself seemed reasonable but the delay, during which Taylor communicated with the VAR officials Stuart Attwell, felt straight out of Stockley Park. The past week has been notable for relatively quick resolutions to video referrals and this one did not meet that bar.
Deschamps raised his eyebrows at the interruption’s length, feeling the case was “a no brainer”. Unsurprisingly Ronald Koeman’s take cast a different hue. “I personally think the goal should have stood,” he said. “I think Dumfries is offside, that’s true. But he isn’t disturbing the goalkeeper, and when that doesn’t happen it’s a legal goal in my opinion. And you need five minutes [sic] to check it because it’s so difficult? I don’t understand it.”
Koeman tempered his assessment by admitting his team had faltered at times and acknowledging France’s clearer scoring opportunities. He deemed the draw fair, considering all factors, though one wonders if his tone might have been sharper in a knockout scenario. Nonetheless, the result was positive for the Netherlands, even though their upcoming match against Austria promises to be challenging.
The Dutch might have capitalized even more if Jeremie Frimpong had converted his early chance against Maignan. The agile Dutch attack, particularly lively in the first half with Simons dazzling as he has all season for RB Leipzig and Gakpo testing Maignan with a superb effort, caused significant problems. However, France maintained a consistent threat throughout the game.
Indispensable for both club and country, Griezmann has undergone a significant evolution in his role with France, yet he remains crucial to Didier Deschamps’ plans. Describing Griezmann as a cornerstone of the French team would be an understatement…
Griezmann is irreplaceable for both his club and country. Despite undergoing a significant evolution in his role with France, he remains pivotal to Didier Deschamps’ plans. To call Griezmann a cornerstone of the French team would be an understatement…