In a goalless match at Euro 2024, the Netherlands and France ended in a 0-0 draw, with a controversial decision overshadowing the game. Xavi Simons scored a second-half goal for the Dutch, but it was disallowed after a lengthy VAR check. The on-field officials, led by referee Anthony Taylor, ruled that Denzel Dumfries, standing in an offside position, obstructed the French goalkeeper, Mike Maignan.
France, playing without their injured captain Kylian Mbappe, struggled offensively. Mbappe had broken his nose in their previous win against Austria and was missed as France failed to capitalize on several chances. Antoine Griezmann had multiple opportunities to score but missed crucial chances, including a close-range shot set up by Adrien Rabiot, a decent chance he sent wide, and a tame effort saved by Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen after good work by N’Golo Kante.
For the Netherlands, Wout Weghorst, who had scored a late winner against Poland, was brought on in the closing stages but could not find the net this time. Despite their efforts, both teams remain on four points in Group D, while Poland is eliminated.
The disallowed goal for the Netherlands was particularly frustrating for Dutch fans. Simons’ strike from outside the box appeared to be a legitimate goal, but it was quickly disallowed due to Dumfries’ position. The VAR check, the longest of the tournament so far, confirmed the on-field decision, much to the disappointment of the Dutch supporters. This was not the only frustration for the Netherlands as Memphis Depay struggled to make an impact in the attack.
The absence of Mbappe was a significant blow for France. Despite training with a protective mask on Thursday, he was not named in the starting lineup or brought on as a substitute. Without their talisman, France had not won any of their last six matches, and their struggles continued in this game. Griezmann, who had been frustrated with his performance against Austria, was more involved but failed to convert his chances.
French coach Didier Deschamps decided against risking Mbappe as a late substitute, prioritizing his fitness for future games. However, the team’s inability to score without their captain will be a concern moving forward.
In summary, the Netherlands and France played out a goalless draw, with the Dutch feeling aggrieved by a disallowed goal following a lengthy VAR check. Both teams had chances to score, but France’s offensive struggles without Mbappe and the Dutch’s frustration with the officiating were the key takeaways. Despite the draw, both teams remain on track to progress to the knockout stages of Euro 2024.
