Poland eliminated after Netherlands and France stalemate

Kylian Mbappe watched on from the bench as France and the Netherlands played out a goalless draw at Euro 2024 that eliminated Poland.

After breaking his nose in France's opening Group D win over Austria, Les Bleus skipper was forced to don a mask in training and was only a substitute here in Leipzig, where a 0-0 stalemate - the first of these finals - leaves both former winners on the cusp of qualifying for the last 16.

The Poles are going home even if they finish level on points with Austria after losing 3-1 earlier today.

The Netherlands thought they had all-but secured safe passage when Xavi Simons struck in the second half, only for his effort to be ruled out by referee Anthony Talyor.

While the television cameras constantly trained a lens on Mbappe, the opening exchanges of the game itself were frenetic if not fantastic.

Mike Maignan was called into action in the opening minute, brilliantly turning a Jeremie Frimpong effort behind for a corner after he burst through the France backline with ease.

At the other end, Bart Verbruggen was also tested early on as Antoine Griezmann, playing in a more advanced role with Mbappe on the bench, forcing an acrobatic stop out of the Brighton goalkeeper.

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