Robert Lewandowski penalty earns Poland a point as France miss out on top spot

Poland showed flashes of brilliance – Kacper Urbanski reacted first from a tournament and unleashed an effort towards goal but Mike Maignan was on hand to deal with it

France failed to top Group D after they were held to a 1-1 draw thanks to Robert Lewandowski’s second-half penalty in Dortmund.

Poland were unable to progress to the round of 16 after losing to the Netherlands and Austria in their first two group games but they came closest to the opener through Lewandowski on his first start of the tournament.

Kylian Mbappe returned to the side after suffering a broken nose and had a couple of chances at the end of the first period but France went into the interval without any of their own players scoring a goal in the tournament yet.

Mbappe put France ahead from the penalty spot for his first goal in a European Championships and, after Poland were awarded a penalty of their own, Lewandowski’s retaken strike 11 minutes from time meant France finished second behind Austria, who beat Netherlands.

France forced the first real effort of the contest when the ball popped out to Theo Hernandez who lashed an effort towards the bottom corner which was stopped by Lukasz Skorupski

Poland showed flashes of brilliance – Kacper Urbanski reacted first from a tournament and unleashed an effort towards goal but Mike Maignan was on hand to deal with it.

Although France looked laboured through the first quarter, they remained a threat – Ngolo Kante surged through the midfield and put it on a plate for Ousmane Dembele who smashed it straight at the onrushing Skorupski.

Poland came close to an opener as Lewandowski took aim with a free header which looked to be going in but bounced off William Saliba’s foot and wide.

France started to dominate at the end of the half and Mbappe assumed control over the situation from Bradley Barcola and toe poked an effort on goal which was saved by Skorupski.

Livescore.com

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