Julius Okorie
Netherlands and France settled for goalless draw Friday night at their Euro championship clash in Leipzig thus delaying their qualification for the knockout stages till the final group match.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelNetherlands were on the verge of running away with a lone goal victory but a controversial offside call crashed the dream.
Xavi Simons thought he had given the Netherlands the lead late in the game only for the flag to go up on the grounds that Denzel Dumfries had impacted on the play.
Anthony Taylor ruled it out with video assistant referee Stuart Attwell confirming the decision.
The call was highly debatable as the ball arrowed into the bottom corner with goalkeeper Mike Maignan seemingly unprepared to dive. But the English officials ruled it out as this much-anticipated game ended in the first goalless draw of the tournament.
Didier Deschamps’ side had been on top in a game that otherwise failed to ignite without Mbappe, who remained on the bench following his broken nose.
READ ALSO Mbappe To Wear Personalised Face Mask Against Netherlands
Antoine Griezmann had the best chances but could not find the finish. Mbappe had originally been tipped to star in the match wearing personalised face mask following his broken nose.
But the mask with which he had trained on Thursday ahead of Friday’s match had multiple colours which did not conform to Uefa rules.
It was speculated that he would get a one colour face mask be part of the match, but the former PSG talisman was listed in the substitute roll but did not play.
He was seen later after the match congratulating his teammates for their efforts.
Both teams will see how it pans out when France take on Poland in the last group match, while Netherlands battle Austria.
Netherlands currently lead the Group with four points and better goal difference followed by France with four points as well.
Austria are third on the log with three points while Poland ironically are pointless and indication that they have already crashed out of the tournament.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
