Key occasions
Who remembers France 1-4 Netherlands from again in 2008?
Dirk Kuyt, Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder with the objectives. Basic.
France supporters are out in drive too, naturellement.
Dutch followers: Bringing color to the event since who is aware of when.
In masks/vogue information, Mbappé may be seen sporting a plain black protecting masks within the picture under, versus the branded France quantity that has additionally been bandied about.
It’s at all times attention-grabbing when a participant with the standing and gravitas of Mbappé is compelled to drop out of a facet. Maybe it’ll free the remainder of them up a bit, and provides the likes of Thuram and Dembele an opportunity to shine a bit extra?
Huge Ron has arrived:
Groups
A masked Mbappé is called among the many France substitutes. Didier Deschamps makes one change, with Aurelien Tchouameni coming in to the beginning lineup, so not a straight swap for Mbappé. Marcus Thuram will play in a entrance three with Antoine Griezmann, who captains the facet in Mbappé’s absence, and Ousmane Dembélé.
There’s additionally one change for the Netherlands, made by the top coach Ronald Koeman: Jeremie Frimpong, so spectacular all season for Bayer Leverkusen, comes into the beginning lineup with Joey Veerman benched.
Netherlands (4-3-3): Verbruggen; Dumfries, de Vrij, van Dijk, Ake; Schouten, Simons, Reijnders; Frimpong, Depay, Gakpo. Substitutes: Geertruida, de Ligt, Wijnaldum, Weghorst, Bijlow, van de Ven, Veerman, Blind, Malen, Brobbey, Maatsen, Zirkzee, Flekken, Bergwijn, Gravenberch.
France (4-3-3): Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Hernandez; Kante, Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Griezmann, Thuram. Substitutes: Samba, Pavard, Mendy, Camavinga, Giroud, Mbappe, Muani, Zaire Emery, Fofana, Coman, Clauss, Areola, Konate, Barcola.
Referee: Anthony Taylor (Cheshire)
Austria’s win means there are actually three groups on three factors in Group D:
France have Netherlands and Poland left to play, then, they usually’ll face a Poland determined for a win in attempting to keep away from one more limp event exit.
Austria have crushed Poland 3-1:
Will Mbappé play? We’ll know the lineups in 10 minutes or so.
It’s all distinctly paying homage to Antoine Dupont on the Rugby World Cup:
MP pour un code promo @KMbappe, j’ai des plans.
Bon braveness surtout 💪🇫🇷— 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗗𝗨𝗣𝗢𝗡𝗧 (@Dupont9A) June 18, 2024
Let’s get the reference to Graham Taylor-era England out of the best way good and early. Right here’s Paul Gascoigne sporting a protecting masks after his cheekbone was damaged in a 1994 World Cup qualifer in opposition to the Netherlands.
As one would anticipate, there have been nice advances made in masks design and expertise since:
Intro
The Group D permutations will turn out to be clearer when Poland and Austria have completed in Berlin – extra on that quickly – however the undeniable fact on the time of writing is France and the Netherlands have a possibility to make it two wins out of two tonight, probably securing themselves a spot within the knockouts.
Permutations apart, this can be a merely traditional fixture rivalled solely by Spain v Italy in relation to high-stakes, high-quality, high-excitement pool stage encounters at Euro 2024. It’s already shaping as much as be a traditional event; tonight’s prestigious assembly in Leipzig could elevate issues nonetheless additional.
Kylian Mbappé’s nostril has dominated event discourse since he broke it in France’s opening win in opposition to Austria on Monday however no matter whether or not Actual Madrid’s newest signing will get a run-out, this guarantees to be downright unmissable.
Kick-off: 8pm BST. Allez!
