That will be all from me. Thanks for reading and emailing in, and for tolerating that ultimately disappointing spectacle. The Dumfries offside debate will run and run. Good night.
Updated
Nick Ames’s report is right here. Dive in:
The Beeb (Lineker that is) now say Netherlands and France are “all but through” which assumes Austria are incapable of beating the Dutch in the final group game.
And could Poland, with a free hit, cause problems for France? Who knows. We will find out.
Updated
Group D:
“The goal was disallowed on the field. VAR was checking if they could overturn that decision and decided it was not an obvious error,” emails Robert Speed. “I would have preferred the ref look at it on the monitor, but they didn’t do that. On balance, it should have stood. But the onfield decision carried weight.”
The BBC are analysing the offside decision against Dumfries. Shearer reckons it’s goal. Rooney reckons it’s a goal. Shearer says that Maignan’s body position means there is no way he could dive for the shot by Simons. Therefore Dumfries is not interfering.
“You have to question the referee here, the VAR,” says Fabregas. “The VAR should have “called him” [the referee] to make the right decision.”
“The goalkeeper is not impeded, clearly,” adds Lineker.
“If you really think you can get the ball, you dive,” says Fabregas, picking up Shearer’s point that Maignan would never have got to the ball anyway.
“If you go to the monitor, at least the referee can see it and give his own decision,” says Rooney.
Updated
Full time! Netherlands 0-0 France
The headline is that Poland are eliminated, the first team to pack their bags and leave Euro 2024.
Xavi Simons thought he’d won it for the Dutch … and so did many of us. But it wasn’t to be. A poor spectacle overall, but c’est la vie.
Updated
90 min + 5: Hernandez finds himself up the pitch. The ball is shepherded out for a goal kick to the Netherlands. And that should be that.
90 min +3: The disallowed Dutch goal is going to be a big #TalkingPoint, anyway.
The Netherlands now mount something resembling a late attack. Gakpo looks annoyed. They get a throw in. But, like almost always tonight, nothing really happens.
90 min +2: “Both sides resorting to ‘hoof it up to the big lad’ to break the deadlock,” emails Kev. “Petrus Crouch vs Pierre Crouch.”
90 min: We’ll have five added minutes. France win a corner after some good defending by Weghorst. Verbruggen punches the ball clear.
Poland, to remind you, are going out if this stays 0-0.
Updated
90 min: “It’s not an offence to be in an offside position, only to be ‘active’,” emails Dan Bayford.
“And seeing as the keeper didn’t even move, I can’t see how Dumfries was interfering with play.”
Updated
89 min: Danger for the Dutch! Rabiot is clear down the France left. He nudges a pass across the six-yard box looking for Coman but it’s a poor delivery and bounces away to safety on the far side.
Mbappé won’t be coming on which, let’s admit, must be entirely right given that he broke his nose earlier in the week.
86 min: Giroud gets on the end of a lofted ball into the box in that Sheringhamesque way of his. He nods a clever header back to the penalty spot, looking for Griezmann, but the ball is whipped away by De Vrij. Good defending.
Updated
85 min: Into the final five minutes. The ball is being played around in midpark, as Bob Boonah would say.
84 min: Anyway, onwards and upwards. My prediction for this one is 4-3 to the Netherlands. How about you?
83 min: If the offside for Dumfries was so obvious (I’m getting a few emails) then why the need for a five-minute VAR check?
82 min: Deschamps sits forward in his seat, willing his players to find a breakthrough. We’re closing in on the first 0-0 draw of the tournament. Can the Dutch find a way through? Can France nick one?
80 min: Kante surges forward in midfield. He looks to be fouled, ending up on the turf, but gets nothing.
Updated
78 min: It’s big Wout! Weghorst comes on, Depay off for the Netherlands.
Big Ron [Koeman] will now be looking to knock it full gun to Weghorst.
Updated
77 min: Free-kick for the Dutch in an advanced area. Depay to take. He floats it to the far post where Hernandez clears it for a corner.
75 min: Coman and Giroud are on for France. Thuram and Dembele off.
Geertruida, Veerman and Wijnaldum on for the Netherlands. Frimpong, Schouten and Simons off.
Updated
75 min: A Dutch goal would really have thrown the cat among the pigeons. We’d have been guaranteed a fascinating and exciting conclusion to what’s been an underwhelming match. But the [Premier League] officials have found a reason to disallow the goal. It’s disappointing and perhaps even a little embarrassing.
Updated
NO GOAL! Netherlands 0-0 France
It’s a disallowed goal for the Netherlands. Simons’ effort is chalked off. Is it really very surprising that the Premier League officials have been responsible for a ludicrously long VAR check? And ultimately disallowing a goal that arguably should have stood? That looks very harsh to adjudge Dumfries offside when he’s not in Maignan’s eye line. But I’d like to have another look at it when there’s not smoke coming off my keyboard.
Updated
VAR check - goal for the Netherlands!?
From the Dutch left flank, Gakpo feeds Depay, who is inside the penalty area with his back to goal. Depay turns quickly and hits a shot which is beaten out by Maignan. Simons tucks away the rebound with a powerful effort that nestles in the bottom corner, and the celebrations begin … but the goal is disallowed on the field by Anthony Taylor and the VAR is going to have a look. Was Dumfries offside? He was standing near Maignan, on the right side of goal (as the Dutch are attacking) … but not in his eye line. I fancy this may be allowed.
Updated
67 min: Upamecano gets France moving forward again. It’s all hands on deck in the Dutch defence. Dembele whacks a left-footed shot over from inside the area. Deschamps clasps his head in his hands and roars in frustration on the bench. Is it just one of those nights?
65 min: WHAT?! France are in again. A stunningly perceptive flick by Thuram on the edge of the area puts Dembele in. Then it’s with Kante, and Griezmann is teed up by a fine pass from the former Chelsea man. He has the ball, and a chance to shoot from point-blank range at the far post … but he fluffs it again! In fact it’s a save by Verbruggen. But that really, really should be 1-0 France.
Updated
64 min: “More than one preview noted that these two teams had two of the best defences in the tournament,” emails Kári Tulinius. “And this has very much been that kind of match.”
63 min: Chance France! Kounde, who has been very good, whips in a fine cross from the right. It’s that man again, Tchouameni, who leaps to head the ball goalwards from a central position … but it flashes narrowly over the crossbar! That was more like it.
Updated
60 min: Thuram belts a shot from the edge. It goes wide. Simons and Tchouameni then go shoulder to shoulder in midfield but there are some studs flying around too. Simons goes down in a heap. He looks in pain. What’s the ref given? Free kick to France, I think? Odd.
Updated
59 min: Kante sprints down the France left. He cuts back and passes to Tchouameni. The Real Madrid man hits a speculative shot from distance that – yes, you guessed right – goes out for a throw-in. And thus, the person writing the MBM is obliged to write: that moment sums up the match so far.
Updated
57 min: What’s going on right now? On the pitch, not a massive amount, in truth. The fans are cheerfully making plenty of noise but the entertainment on show isn’t really the kind of thing to get you out of your seat. Or off your sofa. There is still time …
55 min: Depay crashes the free-kick into the wall.
53 min: Simons looks to inject some pace and tries to play a smart give and go on the left. It turns out just to be a give, but that buys space for Ake to advance down into the left corner. However, there is no option in the middle for the Dutch … they keep the ball and Simons, who looks lively early in the second half, wins a free-kick in a dangerous area, central and just outside the box.
Updated
52 min: Kante of France has a sight of goal from distance. He unleashes a poor shot that is always rising over the crossbar. Deschamps appears to be chewing his nails on the bench.
Updated
52 min: France attack. Netherlands defend. Now the Dutch come again with Frimpong sliding a good-looking pass infield looking for Depay from the right. France deal with it.
50 min: Frimpong catches Hernandez as the French defender looks to play a pass back to his keeper. Free-kick. This match is stubbornly refusing to become entertaining.
Updated
48 min: Saliba feeds Kante in central midfield. The Frenchman has a surprising amount of space to turn and time to pick a pass. He looks for Rabiot with an angled pass but the ball squirts out for a throw to the Netherlands.
Updated
47 min: Dembele has Ake on toast down the French right. French toast? He just kicks the ball past him and runs. Simple stuff, although he then overruns it, and the ball rolls out for a goal kick.
Updated
Second half kick-off!
Will we see Kylian at some stage?
No changes from either manager at half time.
Updated
Brilliant orange. But can their team get them a result?
Updated
“Always good to hear mention of Neil Pointon,” emails Simon Frank. “His nickname, Dissa, is in the top one.”
Why not take a look at Ben Fisher’s report of Austria’s win against Poland:
And Jacob Steinberg on England:
Plus! Barney Ronay on England:
Half time: Netherlands 0-0 France
Neither side has been very good, let’s face it. France have been efficient and a bit niggly and cynical. The Netherlands have shown flashes in attack, and the selection of Frimpong by Koeman looks a good one: he’s been a threat on their right wing, and probably should have made more of that chance in the very first minute.
Anyway, we live in hope that the second half delivers in style.
Updated
45 min: One minute added. This has not been a classic thus far.
44 min: Depay is wearing a thick white headband. I should have told you that earlier really. Anyway, the teams look ready for half-time oranges (oranges?). Ake slips and commits a handball somewhere in midfield. Cheshire’s Anthony Taylor is only too happy to blow his whistle, as per.
Updated
43 min: “Jerdy Schouten - I’d not heard of him before, but it’s a shame he wasn’t around at the time of Neil Pointon, one of Manchester City’s greats from the 1990s,” emails Charles Antaki. “The combination of Pointon and Schouten in midfield would be unbeatable. Or unignorable anyway.”
Like it, Charles.
Updated
42 min: A few drinks are thrown at Griezmann by Dutch fans when he goes to take the corner. No need for that. The France captain hits a poor corner and it’s cut out at the near post.
41 min: Griezmann belts the free-kick at the wall. De Vrij leaps and heads it out for a corner …
Updated
40 min: Now Van Dijk fouls Dembele on the edge of the Dutch area. Dembele makes a big fuss about it – but it is a foul. Danger for the Netherlands from this set-piece. He’s gonna flick one …
39 min: Griezmann bends in the set-piece. Van Dijk is on hand to clear with his head. Upamecano then miscontrols and coughs up a throw for France. On the bench, Deschamps is pictured deep in conversation, somewhat concerned with events on the pitch.
38 min: Schouten finds Frimpong, hugging the touchline, with a good, crisp pass. But Reijnders then loses it, and France can counter quickly. Thuram is fouled and France have a free-kick in a handy position not far from the Dutch penalty area.
Updated
36 min: Netherlands come again: Simons has a sight of goal from outside the penalty area, but hits a limp shot straight at Maignan.
Updated
35 min: Griezmann loses it in midfield. Frimpong again finds himself bearing down on the French defence. He drifts outside and hits a right-footed shot but Saliba defends it expertly, easily getting in position to block the Leverkusen man’s effort.
Updated
33 min: There are times when the pace of this game drops significantly but I’m not convinced a draw really suits either team. The Dutch must play Austria next, who have been impressive, while France will meet a Poland team desperate to make some impact on the tournament, if nothing else.
Updated
31 min: Schouten is booked for a foul on Griezmann in the centre circle as the two go shoulder to shoulder. That is a blatant dive from Griezmann as far as I can see. Schouten immediately begins to wag his finger as the Frenchman goes down, warning the referee that his opponent is trying to buy the free-kick … but he goes in the book anyway. Poor refereeing in my view.
Updated
29 min: Another free-kick for a supposed foul on Griezmann this time.
27 min: Kounde, whose passing and crossing is a big threat from full-back, plays an excellent angled ball over the top from the French right. Thuram runs on to it – and he’s in so much space he looks offside - but on replay is shown to have timed his run perfectly. No matter because he hits a poor shot that flies over the crossbar from an angle.
Updated
26 min: Gakpo, Frimpong and Depay are suddenly running at the France back line. Koeman is looking to use their pace on the counterattack which is entirely sensible. Gakpo drifts inside with the ball and tries to find Depay with a pacy pass to the right. But it’s a naff effort and goes out for a corner. That was a decent injection of speed from the men in orange, however.
Updated
25 min: Rabiot is fouled now with the Netherlands in a promising position. Anthony Taylor’s being a bit fussy for my liking and breaking up the rhythm of the game by awarding regular free-kicks.
Updated
23 min: The tempo drops a touch. The Netherlands have a free kick, not far inside the France half, which is launched to the back post in a crowded box by Depay. Dumfries gets his noggin on it, but only succeeds in sending it out for a goal kick. The fans, meanwhile, are making a large amount of noise and very much enjoying their evening.
Updated
22 min: Permutations-wise, if this is a draw, Poland are out.
Updated
20 min: France are now the team stroking a few passes around, although they work the ball back and play it around the back four. Griezmann comes deep to coordinate an attack. Thuram takes a lofted pass down well with expert ease, but then Rabiot belts a long attempted cross straight out for a goal kick.
Updated
18 min: Now it’s France’s turn again. Kante is involved in a slick counter. France win a corner. De Vrij gets rid.
17 min: We’re warming up now. Gakpo cuts in from the Dutch left and cracks a curling shot that is destined for the bottom corner. Maignan gets down to his left and beats it out – an excellent save. The resulting corner is wasted. It’s threatening to really spark into life any moment, this match …
14 min: Gynormous France chance! Rabiot is suddenly one on one with Verbruggen after a nice flick by Thuram on the edge of the box. He’s on the edge of the six-yard box and surely has to shoot? But he tries to square it for Griezmann. Griezmann in turn completely fluffs his shot, falling over as he does so … the Dutch can half clear but France immediately come again. Kante tees up Griezmann and he bends a shot from close range wide of the near post. Two big let offs for the Netherlands.
Updated
13 min: Kounde bends an excellent delivery in from the French right wing. Griezmann is there to meet it: but a superb defensive header by Reijnders sees him flick the ball to safety.
11 min: Now Dumfries makes a searching run from full-back down the Dutch right. Saliba is fouled and wins a free-kick. France have been quiet, and without Mbappé they do lack that constant threat on the counter. Can the front three selected by Deschamps step up?
10 min: The Dutch are moving the ball nicely and keeping possession. They play around in an advanced area while France assume the defensive position and close space down efficiently. Koeman will be pleased with the composure his side are showing on the ball.
8 min: The Netherlands come again. Depay is fed by Simons, into his feet, on the penalty spot. He has his back to goal: Saliba is man-marking him and Depay tries to turn to his left, and claims he’s fouled. The referee, Taylor, demonstratively waves the penalty claim away. Muscular defending by Saliba.
Updated
6 min: Simons does well on the Dutch left wing to nab possession and race down the wing into the France half. But he’s dispossessed efficiently by Upamecano. France have settled into the game after a big early scare with that chance for Frimpong.
4 min: France hit back immediately. Rabiot is played through on the left wing by Dembele, but lacks support and cuts back for Griezemann. The captain belts a decent dipping shot from the edge of the area. It’s tipped over by Verbruggen for a French corner.
Updated
3 min: France repel the corner but that was a big early scare. The pace of Frimpong was a huge factor in Leverkusen’s Bundesliga title win.
1 min: Big chance for Netherlands right away! Frimpong roars through down the right after a ball is clipped through from midfield, I think by Schouten. The winger advances into the penalty area and hits a shot from an angle which lacks conviction … but he wins a corner anyway as the ball rolls out off Maignan’s glove.
Updated
First half kick-off!
Go!
Anyway, let’s do this. The Netherlands will kick off.
Did Lineker just say that if it’s a draw tonight, both these teams are through? Incorrect if so. But maybe I imagined it.
Updated
Here we go then. Anthems done. Team photos taken. France are sporting that lovely striped white away kit. The Netherlands are wearing orange, which is only right. Anthony Taylor is the referee.
They love a party, the Dutch.
𝗟𝗘𝗜𝗣𝗭𝗜𝗚 = 𝗢𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗝𝗘! 🧡#NothingLikeOranje #CreateHistory pic.twitter.com/bg2exR18QE
— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) June 21, 2024
The teams were in the tunnel … now they’re on the pitch.
“My hopes are that the Netherlands will beat France 4-1 like in 2008,” writes David. “My fears are that they’ll lose 1-0 in a boring match while also playing in a dirty, ill-tempered manner as has happened too often in recent years (see 2010 World Cup final against Spain). I want to see them play the exciting style we expect from the Dutch team.”
Updated
“I don’t have a TV or a streaming subscription, BBC Radio live coverage is geoblocked here in Canada and local radio is not broadcasting it this year,” emails Ruby.
“Luckily I speak French so I’m listening to a radio stream from France. Ergo, my biggest worry is that one of the breathless French commentators might have a stroke mid-call.”
Bien!
Fabregas reckons France will play 4-2-3-1 and not 4-3-3. That would mean Thuram up top presumably. We’ll see.
A mention for Kante, by the way, who was exceptional in the opening win against Austria. “Thrillingly zesty,” wrote Barney Ronay:
Updated
These fan photos are too good.
Updated
A bit of pre-match reading, anyone? You got it:
Updated
What are your expectations, thoughts, hopes and fears? Email me.
Cesc Fàbregas, Wayne Rooney and Big Alan Shearer join Gary Lineker in the BBC studio this evening. Insight aplenty I am sure.
Updated
Ben Fisher is in Berlin, and witnessed the latest flop at a major tournament by Robert Lewandowski and Poland:
Or indeed France 2-3 Netherlands from alllllll the way back in 2000.
Those were the days, weren’t they? Or are these, in fact, the days?
Updated
Who remembers France 1-4 Netherlands from back in 2008?
Dirk Kuyt, Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder with the goals. Classic.
Updated
France supporters are out in force too, naturellement.
Dutch fans: Bringing colour to the tournament since who knows when.
In mask/fashion news, Mbappé can be seen wearing a plain black protective mask in the image below, as opposed to the branded France number that has also been bandied about.
Updated
It’s always interesting when a player with the status and gravitas of Mbappé is forced to drop out of a side. Perhaps it’ll free the rest of them up a bit, and give the likes of Thuram and Dembele a chance to shine a bit more?
Updated
Big Ron has arrived:
🧳 @RonaldKoeman #NothingLikeOranje #NEDFRA pic.twitter.com/RqZ8bjv7ky
— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) June 21, 2024
Teams
A masked Mbappé is named among the France substitutes. Didier Deschamps makes one change, with Aurelien Tchouameni coming in to the starting lineup, so not a straight swap for Mbappé. Marcus Thuram will play in a front three with Antoine Griezmann, who captains the side in Mbappé’s absence, and Ousmane Dembélé.
There is also one change for the Netherlands, made by the head coach Ronald Koeman: Jeremie Frimpong, so impressive all season for Bayer Leverkusen, comes into the starting 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)
Updated
Austria’s win means there are now three teams on three points in Group D:
France have Netherlands and Poland left to play, then, and they’ll face a Poland desperate for a win in trying to avoid yet another limp tournament exit.
Updated
Austria have beaten Poland 3-1:
Will Mbappé play? We’ll know the lineups in 10 minutes or so.
It’s all distinctly reminiscent of Antoine Dupont at the Rugby World Cup:
MP pour un code promo @KMbappe, j’ai des plans.
— 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗗𝗨𝗣𝗢𝗡𝗧 (@Dupont9A) June 18, 2024
Bon courage surtout 💪🇫🇷
Let’s get the reference to Graham Taylor-era England out of the way nice and early. Here’s Paul Gascoigne wearing a protective mask after his cheekbone was broken in a 1994 World Cup qualifer against the Netherlands.
As one would expect, there have been great advances made in mask design and technology since:
Updated
Intro
The Group D permutations will become clearer when Poland and Austria have finished in Berlin – more on that soon – but the incontrovertible fact at the time of writing is France and the Netherlands have an opportunity to make it two wins out of two tonight, potentially securing themselves a place in the knockouts.
Permutations aside, this is a simply classic fixture rivalled only by Spain v Italy when it comes to high-stakes, high-quality, high-excitement pool stage encounters at Euro 2024. It’s already shaping up to be a classic tournament; tonight’s prestigious meeting in Leipzig may elevate matters still further.
Kylian Mbappé’s nose has dominated tournament discourse since he broke it in France’s opening win against Austria on Monday but regardless of whether Real Madrid’s latest signing gets a run-out, this promises to be downright unmissable.
Kick-off: 8pm BST. Allez!
