The draw cost France a lot. Sensational winner of the “Polish” group

The Polish national team started Euro 2024 with a defeat to the Netherlands by a score of 1:2. The Polish national team was praised for their game against Oranje, but there were no points from it. Unfortunately, in the second match, Michał Probierz’s team also proved weaker than their rivals. Then they lost to Austria 1:3. So the match for honor with France remained, and in it, the Poles drew 1:1. This meant that they avoided the worst, and in addition, they greatly complicated the situation of the Three Colors in the knockout phase.

Great Austria for Euro 2024

France’s draw with Poland meant that the vice-champions did not win Group D. Austria, on the other hand, topped the list. They were a sensational winner of the group. Of course, before the tournament, Ralf Rangnick’s team were mentioned among the potential candidates for the role of a dark horse. They performed brilliantly and were treated as a threat to France and the Netherlands, theoretically the strongest teams. However, few predicted that Austria would surpass both of these teams.

This happened after the 3-2 victory over the Netherlands. This match brought a lot of drama. Suffice it to say that only one goal was scored before the break, and it was an own goal, after which Austria led 1-0.

It was only in the second half that both teams really got going. When Memphis Depay scored for 2:2 in the 75th minute, it seemed that the Oranje were taking control of the situation. Nothing could be further from the truth. Five minutes later, Austria took the lead for the third time after a goal by Marcel Sabitzer and never let it go.

Ralf Rangnick created a monster

Austria’s triumph meant that France took second place in the group with five points, while the Netherlands collected one less point. The Austrians, on the other hand, won six points. Poland finished the competition in last place. Importantly, France will now have big problems in the knockout phase. They will be placed in a joint bracket with Spain or Portugal.

From the point of view of the quality presented in the individual group matches, it must be admitted that the French did not impress and deservedly lost the fight for the top of the table to the Austrians. Ralf Rangnick has created a phenomenal team that can achieve a lot.