France’s quest for a successful Euro 2024 campaign continued with a stuttering 1-1 draw against Poland in Dortmund. While Kylian Mbappé marked his return from injury with a penalty goal, a controversial re-taken spot-kick by Robert Lewandowski ensured Les Bleus would finish second in Group D.

France vs Poland: Mbappé Returns, But France Struggles for Fluency

The big pre-match news surrounded the return of Kylian Mbappé. Sporting a protective mask after breaking his nose against Austria, the PSG star’s presence undoubtedly boosted French morale. However, the mask visibly restricted Mbappé’s movement and peripheral vision, limiting his usual explosive threat.

Despite controlling possession, France lacked their usual attacking fluency. Antoine Griezmann and Kingsley Coman were introduced in the second half, but Die Mannschaft’s resolute defending kept Didier Deschamps’ men at bay.

Penalty Drama Gives Poland a Share of the Spoils

The deadlock was finally broken in the 56th minute after Ousmane Dembélé was brought down in the box. Mbappé stepped up and coolly converted the resulting penalty, albeit with a slightly subdued celebration due to his mask.

However, the drama wasn’t over. With ten minutes remaining, a controversial VAR decision awarded Poland a penalty for a clumsy challenge by Dayot Upamecano. Robert Lewandowski’s initial effort was saved by Mike Maignan, but the goalkeeper was adjudged to have come off his line too early. The re-taken penalty saw Lewandowski convert with a trademark stutter-step run-up, securing a consolation goal for the already eliminated Poles.

Concerns Mount Despite France Finish and Progression

While France’s finish has progressed them to the knockout stages, their overall performance against Poland was a concern. Their attack, often reliant on Mbappé’s brilliance, looked predictable and lacked creativity. Deschamps will need to find a way to unlock defences and get the most out of his attacking talent if they are to challenge for the Euro 2024 title. However, their second-place finish in the group means they face a potentially tougher route to the final, potentially encountering powerhouses like Portugal and Germany in the later stages.