While England’s fans and media wallow in self-pity after another turgid affair at Euro 2024, things are not much better for France, another of the pre-tournament favourites who have flattered to deceive in Germany.
Before England’s sleep-inducing goalless draw with Slovenia, Didier Deschamps and his players stuttered to a 1-1 draw against already eliminated Poland. In mitigation, the team was rotated slightly and there was some controversy surrounding the penalty scored by Robert Lewandowski. But France have not looked convincing and finished second in their group behind Ralph Rangnick’s far more energetic and fluid Austria.
