It’s still all to play for in Group D on the final match day, with the top three separated by just a point. Sat on four points and knowing a draw will be enough to secure a top-two finish, France are in a good position as far as advancing goes, but with finishing top theoretically offering an easier route through the knockout stages, they’ll be kicking themselves they couldn’t beat their nearest rivals, the Netherlands.
France could still do enough to finish top on this final day if they can either better the Netherlands’ result or score in their game against Austria. Heaping yet more final day misery on France would serve as no more than a consolation prize for Poland, who are already eliminated from the competition.
The lack of game time for record appearance holder and goalscorer Robert Lewandowski hasn’t helped their cause, but it’s been second half collapses that have proved fatal to Poland in Group D, with both of their two defeats being decided by goals after the hour mark.
The omens don’t look good for signing off on a high either, as the Poles have lost three of their last four group stage finales at the European Championships. With all three defeats coming in tournaments they exited at this stage, history would suggest a fourth will swiftly follow, and given they’re without a Head to Head win against France since 1982, it’s hard to find many sources of inspiration for Poland.
Credit: flashscore.com
