Xavi Simons goal ruled out as Netherlands hold France in UEFA Euro 2024 Group D
Xavi Simons had a goal ruled out as the Netherlands and France played out a goalless draw that keeps them level on points at the top of UEFA Euro 2024 Group D.
Having begun the Netherlands' win over Poland on the bench, Bayer Leverkusen's Jeremie Frimpong was named in the starting line-up in Leipzig. His impact was immediate, the rampaging winger racing away and forcing a full-stretch save from Mike Maignan with barely 60 seconds on the clock. Antoine Griezmann responded in a kind with a dipping shot that Bart Verbruggen had to tip over. France then had a glorious chance to go ahead, but Adrien Rabiot opted to lay the ball off for Griezmann rather than shoot when through on goal, allowing the Dutch to clear their lines. Kylian Mbappé - who suffered a broken nose in the win against Austria - watched on from the bench as former Borussia Mönchengladbach forward Marcus Thuram arrowed wide on the hour. Mbappé's replacement in the starting XI, midfielder Aurélien Djani Tchouaméni, flashed a header over soon after. France continued to dictate the play, with Verbruggen blocking from Griezmann at point-blank range. The Netherlands' Xavi - so impressive on loan at RB Leipzig in 2023/24 - had the ball in the net against the run of play in the 70th minute, but the goal was disallowed for offside, following a lengthy VAR review. Despite the introduction of Bayern Munich's Kingsley Coman and Wout Weghorst - the latter with seven Bundesliga goals for Hoffenheim in 2023/24 and the decisive goal against Poland - there was to be no winner, leaving both nations locked on four points and on course to advance as Group D's top two. Poland, having lost to Austria earlier in the day, are the first team to be eliminated.
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