The Netherlands’ impressive four-match winning streak in European Championship group stages was brought to a controversial halt as they were held to a goalless draw by fellow Group D contenders France at Leipzig’s Red Bull Arena. With both teams vying for the top spot in the group, the stakes were high, and the tension was palpable throughout the match.
Early Excitement and Missed Opportunities
The Dutch, free from the burden of favoritism that had weighed them down against Poland, started the match on a bright note. Just two minutes in, Jeremie Frimpong’s powerful shot was expertly tipped away by French goalkeeper Mike Maignan, setting the tone for an intense encounter. France, aiming to extend their head-to-head dominance, responded swiftly, though Antoine Griezmann’s early miss from close range foreshadowed a series of squandered opportunities.
The game’s most glaring miss came from Griezmann, who, after a mix-up in the penalty area, managed to fumble an attempt from six yards out, likely earning the dubious honor of the tournament’s worst miss. As the first half progressed, the frenetic pace subsided, leading to a goalless halftime scoreline and mounting pressure for both sides to break the deadlock.
Defensive Lapses and Disallowed Goals
France nearly capitalized on a defensive error by Stefan de Vrij, whose failed offside trap allowed Marcus Thuram a clear sight of goal, only for Thuram to blaze over under pressure from Virgil van Dijk. The French continued to pile on the pressure, with Aurélien Tchouaméni and Griezmann both missing critical chances around the hour mark.
The Dutch thought they had found the breakthrough when Xavi Simons slotted home a loose ball, but the goal was controversially disallowed due to an offside Denzel Dumfries interfering with Maignan’s ability to dive. This decision was met with dismay from the Dutch contingent and left the game finely poised.
A Group Wide Open
Despite a late push, including the introduction of super-sub Wout Weghorst, neither team could find the net, resulting in the first goalless draw between the two nations since 2004. This result leaves Group D wide open, with France likely feeling confident about their chances of securing the top spot as they prepare to face Poland, the group’s basement team, in their final match.
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