Good afternoon/evening! Thank you very much for tuning into Sports Mole's live commentary of Netherlands against France. It is the top two in Group D, and a win for either in this match would take them into the round of 16. It should be a cracking match!
We have to kick off with the team news. Does Kylian Mbappe start?!
FRANCE XI: Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Hernandez; Kante, Tchouameni; Dembele, Griezmann, Rabiot; Thuram
SUBS: Samba, Areola, Pavard, Mendy, Camavinga, Giroud, Mbappe, Kolo Muani, Zaire-Emery, Fofana, Coman, Clauss, Konate, Barcola
No Mbappe in the France XI, with the soon-to-be Real Madrid forward breaking his nose against Austria last time out. There had been fears over his participation in the rest of the tournament, but Mbappe is on the bench, and he could still play a part tonight. Aurelien Tchouameni is the player to benefit, as he comes into midfield.
© Reuters
NETHERLANDS XI: Verbruggen; Dumfries, De Vrij, Van Dijk, Ake; Schouten, Reijnders, Simons; Frimpong, Depay, Gakpo
SUBS: Biljow, Flekken, Geertruida, De Ligt, Wijnaldum, Weghorst, Van de Ven, Veerman, Blind, Malen, Brobbey, Maatsen, Zirkzee, Bergwijn, Gravenberch
Netherlands have also made one change to the side that started against Poland, with Joey Veerman replaced by Jeremie Frimpong. Memphis Depay again leads the line, while exciting talent
Xavi Simons will feature as the number 10.
Manchester United are thought to be keen on Simons this summer.
Ok, some context for this match; Austria have just beaten Poland 3-1 in Group D's other fixture this evening - Ralf Rangnick is doing some job.
As a result, a win for either Netherlands or France here would take them into the knockout round, but a draw is also likely to be enough.
France would definitely top the group if they win tonight, but the same cannot be said for Netherlands, who would not be certain of first even if they triumph.
Netherlands will enter this match off the back of a 2-1 success over Poland on June 16. Poland actually led 1-0 in that contest, but Cody Gakpo levelled the scores before Manchester United legend Wout Weghorst came off the bench to win it in the 83rd minute. Are Netherlands dark horses for this tournament?
© Reuters
France, meanwhile, navigated their way past Austria. It was far from a vintage performance, but an own goal from Maximilian Wober late in the first period proved to be the difference between the two sides. The major story from that match was the injury for Mbappe, which had threatened to rule him out of the tournament.
Both of these sides will finish their Euro 2024 group-stage campaign on Tuesday, with Netherlands tackling Austria, and France taking on Poland. In truth, it would be a shock if both did not progress from Group D, having won their opening fixtures.
Worth mentioning that Tchouameni has not played since Real Madrid's Champions League semi-final second leg against Bayern Munich on May 8, as he missed the end of the La Liga campaign, and the European Cup final, due to injury. He will play alongside Mbappe at club level next term.
It is some turnaround to be fair. The nose will be sore.
England and France were viewed as the favourites pre-tournament. Not sure about England now to be fair, but France will be expecting to win Euro 2024, that is the confidence in the camp. To be honest, their bench is utterly ridiculous. Some talent in reserve.
The same can actually be said for Netherlands. There are a lot of options for head coach Ronald Koeman all over the field. This is shaping up to be a cracking match.
"We'll try to improve our game," France forward Antoine Griezmann said ahead of this match.
"Defensively, I thought we played great, but in attack, we should have converted two or three chances to really finish them off. We'll try and to that, and ensure we're all at 100%, physically and technically."
France will be looking for an improvement from the Austria clash.
Just look at this. Football, there is just nothing like it.
Less than 30 minutes until kickoff now. The atmosphere inside the stadium is building nicely. It really is an intriguing one tonight. I must say that I fancy France, but it could be a 1-0 or a 2-1 game. A loss for Netherlands would not be the end of the world.
Clarence Seedorf has just come up on the big screen inside the stadium and delivered a message of support for Netherlands. Good grief what a player he was by the way. Simons will be the player that Netherlands look to for creativity in this contest.
© Reuters
Cesc Fabregas has just said on
BBC Sport that playing with a mask is "not pleasant".
However, the former Spain midfielder insisted that Mbappe has nothing to worry about. Will we see the France captain tonight?
This is now confirmed. The previous mask was very smart, but he will be wearing an all-black one if he comes onto the field tonight.
Just a word on William Saliba. He was not expected to start for France at Euro 2024, but it would have been so harsh to leave him out considering his performances for Arsenal last season. I'm not sure that there is a better centre-back in the Premier League.
France boss Didier Deschamps is bidding to create some personal history at this summer's European Championship.
Should the Blues triumph at Euro 2024, Deschamps would become the first man to win the World Cup and the European Championship as both a player and a coach.
The 55-year-old led France to the 2018 World Cup, while he won the competition as a player in 1998; Deschamps also helped his country win Euro 2020.
Ok, I'm going to need one of these Mbappe masks. They are everywhere inside the stadium. It is going to be the must-have present in the coming weeks.
Some context on the recent meetings between the two sides...
Interesting little bit of information from
BBC Sport reporter John Bennett here...
"Kylian Mbappe took off the mask and shook his head as he walked down the tunnel after the warm-up, it looked like he wasn't finding it comfortable at all. Looks like it's going to take some getting used to for him."
Ok, this is the last mention of Mbappe and the mask before kickoff.
Just 10 minutes until kickoff now. The atmosphere inside the stadium is sensational. Hopefully this will be one of the matches of the tournament thus far.
This story about Memphis Depay is brilliant...
Here we go then. Little over five minutes now. The players are entering the field. Griezmann leads France out, while Van Dijk skippers Netherlands. Two absolute superstars.
France could well be in a 4-4-2 tonight, with Griezmann up alongside Thuram, and Rabiot operating in a wide midfield role. You suspect that Netherlands will be allowed to have a decent share of the possession in this contest. The French national anthem is up first...
Time for Netherlands to sing their anthem...
Here we go. It's time. Netherlands against France at Euro 2024. Give us a 4-4.
KICKOFF: Netherlands get this fixture underway!
SAVE! Blimey! Stunning pace from Frimpong to break into a shooting position, and France goalkeeper Maignan has to push the ball wide. Frimpong was like a rocket there.
France deal with the resulting corner, with Deschamps' side winning a free kick just outside their own box. Strong start from Netherlands here.
SAVE! Smart save from the Dutch goalkeeper to keep out a long-range Griezmann strike.
This has been a brilliant start, and the atmosphere inside the stadium helps. Netherlands are pushing forward in numbers, while France are breaking with pace. The opening six minutes of this contest have absolutely flown past.
The match has just settled down a touch, with France enjoying possession of the ball. Frimpong is almost playing alongside Memphis at the moment for Netherlands. Frimpong's pace really is absolutely frightening. Is he quicker than Mbappe?
PENALTY APPEAL! Memphis goes to ground inside the France box under a challenge from Saliba. The referee says absolutely not. Looked the right call from Anthony Taylor.
Pass, pass, pass from France.
Hernandez gets in down the left, but his cross is cleared.
Bit of possession for Netherlands now. Very even game thus far.
Dumfries and Frimpong are causing problems down the right for Netherlands. At the moment, France do not look comfortable defending that side of the pitch.
Fourteen on the clock here. We await the first goal.
CHANCE! Oh my word! Has to score! Glorious chance for France, but Rabiot decides to poke the ball towards Griezmann inside the box, and Netherlands can clear. Rabiot had to shoot!
CHANCE! This time it does come for Griezmann, and he fires just wide!
This is definitely more open than I thought it would be. Both sides are having spells with possession, but there have already been some big chances in this match.
SAVE! Very smart save from Maignan to keep out a low strike from Gakpo!
Lovely football from France in the middle of the park, involving both Kante and Griezmann, and it gets played wide to Hernandez, with his cross being blocked behind.
At the risk of banging on about England; the Three Lions just don't live with France in this type of form. The football is just so much better, so much crisper.
France are in control of this match at the moment. The early possession from Netherlands is long gone. The Blues are dominating this football game.
Dumfries gets in at the far post to meet a deep delivery, but his header was always drifting wide of the post.
© ImagoIt's been a very good battle thus far.
Gakpo finds himself in a dangerous position, but the Liverpool attacker cannot feed the ball into Memphis. It was again smart work from Frimpong down the right for Netherlands.
SHOT! Thuram beats the Dutch offside trap and breaks into a shooting position, but his effort is wild. Should have done better from that position!
Griezmann is such a wonderful footballer. We probably aren't ever going to see him in the Premier League, which is a real shame. You feel like he would be an absolute star in English football. He is picking up some excellent positions inside the Dutch half here.
YELLOW CARD! Schouten goes in the book for pulling Griezmann to the ground.
Little over 10 minutes until the half-time break, and the score remains level. France have been the better side, but Netherlands will also be pleased with their work.
SHOT! Smart block from Saliba to deny Frimpong, who had again used his pace to break into a shooting position. Excellent from Saliba.
SAVE! Easy save for Maignan to keep out a low strike from Simons.
Netherlands are missing that world-class piece in the final third of the field, it must be said. A Ruud van Nistelrooy, a Robin van Persie. Someone of that ilk. A lot of their work tonight up until that final piece has been excellent.
Griezmann stands over a free kick in a dangerous position, but Van Dijk towers above everyone to make the clearance. Still goalless here.
France have a free kick in an excellent position as Van Dijk fouls Dembele...
SHOT! ... Griezmann's effort is straight into the wall. No bother.
Not nice to see here, as Griezmann has some items thrown at him while he is waiting to take a corner. Just so unnecessary. Ruins it.
SAVE! Comfortable for the Netherlands goalkeeper to keep out a header from Griezmann, who had found himself in a dangerous position inside the Dutch penalty box.
Almost the half-time break here. Still 0-0.
HALF TIME: NETHERLANDS 0-0 FRANCE
Nothing to separate the two sides in the opening 45 minutes. Both teams have had their moments in the Group D contest, but it is goalless at the interval.
A draw is a decent result for both sides to be honest.
Missed this earlier, but it is brilliant...
France had 60% of the ball in the first period, with Netherlands having 40%. Both sides have had six shots, with Netherlands managing three on target to France's two. It has been an even match, with France potentially winning on points if it were a boxing bout.
© ReutersGriezmann has been brilliant thus far tonight.
The second half will soon get underway here - it will be very interesting to see whether either manager looks to make changes early in the second period. As mentioned, a draw is a good result for both sides. It would not guarantee qualification tonight, but it would almost certainly be enough to advance to the round of 16.
KICKOFF: France get the second period underway here...
No half-time changes, as expected. France have started on the front foot, but Netherlands are happy to just sit in their structure and wait for the chance to break.
Some serious talent on the France bench tonight.
Will we see Mbappe? To be honest, it would be a surprise unless Netherlands were to take the lead. There will be a risk attached to playing him.
Nothing much to report in the second period.
There hasn't been a goalless draw at the tournament thus far.
Oh dear. Could it be?
SHOT! Kante works a yard of space outside the Netherlands box, but his effort was always rising over the crossbar. No danger for the Dutch goalkeeper.
Here we go. Netherlands have a free kick in an excellent position, as Dembele brings Simons to the ground just outside the penalty box...
SHOT! ... Memphis straight into the wall.
This match is quite hard work at the moment. There has been a lack of quality from both sides in the final third of the field. Still goalless with little over 30 minutes left.
SHOT! Rabiot fires well over the crossbar from inside the Netherlands box.
SHOT! Tchouameni shoots, and it goes for a throw.
Yep, that wasn't great.
CLOSE! Much better from France, with Rabiot feeding the ball into Thuram, and he strikes a powerful effort wide of the Netherlands goal. More like it!
CHANCE! Big chance as Dembele delivers an excellent cross onto the head of Tchouameni, but his effort is just over the crossbar. France are creating opportunities now.
No sign of any changes at the moment, which isn't too much of a surprise. Neither manager will be too concerned. As mentioned, a draw would be a decent result for both.
CHANCE! Had to score! It comes for Griezman inside the Netherlands box, but the Atletico forward sees his weak effort saved by Verbruggen. Blimey!
It's all France. The Blues are pushing for the opener here.
France continue to quicken the pace here, with Kante delivering wide into Dembele, but his cross is gathered by Verbruggen. Not too much from Netherlands at the moment.
SHOT! Dembele this time, with the forward firing just over the crossbar. Good strike!
GOAL! NETHERLANDS 1-0 FRANCE (SIMONS)
Hold on! This may be disallowed!
Simons fires into the back of the net, but the goal could be ruled out for an offside on Dumfries, who was very close to the France goalkeeper.
Still we wait. It is being checked.
Still no decision.
DISALLOWED GOAL! No goal! It has been disallowed! Looked a harsh one, Simons fired into the bottom corner, but Dumfries was very close to Maignan, who might have been looking to dive down to that corner.
NETHERLANDS SUB! Wijnaldum replaces Simons.
NETHERLANDS SUBS! Dumfries is also off for Geertruida, while Veerman replaces Schouten.
Just to confirm, it is still 0-0. Simons found the bottom corner, but the effort was chalked off for an offside following a VAR check. Looked a very harsh one.
FRANCE SUBS! Dembele and Thuram are replaced by Coman and Giroud.
Netherlands found the back of the net during a period when France were dominant, but the match has settled down again, with both sides enjoying spells with the ball.
NETHERLANDS SUB! Weghorst replaces Memphis.
Giroud finds himself inside the Netherlands box, but the forward can only flick the ball wide of the post. Still all square in this Group D fixture.
Will there be a winner in the latter stages of this contest? At the moment, the talking point is the disallowed goal for Netherlands, which came after a lengthy VAR check.
Not too much happening at the moment. Both sides are losing the ball too easily. But you just get the feeling that there could be one final big chance here.
Saliba has been sensational at the back for France tonight by the way. An absolute travesty that his Euro 2024 starting spot had been in severe doubt.
CHANCE! Big moment for France as Rabiot breaks down the left, but his cross is just too strong for Coman. Wasn't the best pass from Rabiot it must be said.
We are into the first of five added minutes here.
Smart work from Weghorst to block a strike from Kante, who had just worked some space inside the Netherlands box.
The first goalless draw of the tournament is upon us. Nearly there.
FULL TIME: NETHERLANDS 0-0 FRANCE
So there we have it. All square. The main talking point was undoubtedly the disallowed goal in the second period, which was incredibly harsh. Netherlands were very strong in their structure, and in the end, were worth a point here despite France having some excellent chances.
That is just about it from me. Four points should be enough to see both Netherlands and France qualify for the last-16 stage of the competition.
I shall leave you with our match report.
Thanks for joining us!
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