Agency :
A Kylian Mbappe penalty was cancelled out by Robert Lewandowski’s spot kick as already-eliminated Poland held France to a nervy 1-1 draw in Dortmund on Tuesday, meaning the French finish second in Group-D.
Mbappe broke the deadlock in the 56th minute with his first European Championship goal – and the first scored by a French player at Euro 2024 – when he calmly slotted home a penalty given for Jakub Kiwior’s clumsy challenge on Ousmane Dembele.
The lead would have meant France topped the group regardless of the result of a see-saw game between Netherlands and Austria.
However, Dayot Upamecano brought down Polish substitute Karol Swiderksi, which allowed Lewandowski to level from the spot in the 79th minute – after his first effort was saved by Mike Maignan, who was adjudged to have advanced off his line too early.
With Austria then grabbing a later winner against the Dutch, the draw means France finish second in Group-D behind Austria and will face whoever comes second in Group-E, where Romania, Belgium, Slovakia and Ukraine are all on three points.