France still does not scare –

Kylian Mbappé, wearing a mask to protect his broken nose, marked his return to the Euros with a goal once morest Poland.

However, it was not enough to secure victory yesterday, nor to solve France’s growing problems in the European championship.

Real Madrid’s brand new signing Mbappé removed his protective mask to celebrate in front of his team’s fans following converting a penalty in the 56th minute. But Robert Lewandowski earned a 1-1 draw with a 79th-minute penalty that he was able to convert twice, leaving the French as runners-up behind Austria in Group D and dropping them into the middle of the draw with defending champion Portugal, host nation Germany and continental powerhouses Spain.

The French goalkeeper initially saved Lewandowski’s penalty in the 77th minute. But the referee ruled that Maignan had stepped too far off the line and ordered it to be retaken. The Polish striker nailed the ball into the bottom corner with his second attempt.

France finished second to Austria in the group, although it was not convincing.

“Obviously we wanted first place, but to do that we had to win,” said France coach Didier Deschamps. “We did what we had to do by creating chances to win. We might have done better.”

Goal-scoring comeback

Upon his return to the starting lineup, Mbappé was clearly affected by the use of a black mask that limited his peripheral vision.

He stayed away from overly physical challenges and did not compete for the ball in the air. He was often seen hanging on the edge of the area, waiting for the ball to come to him. The striker is still believed to be a fit member of the French team for the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris.

He remained France’s most dangerous attacker, however, and eventually scored his first goal in six games at the tournament – four in the 2020 edition and two in the current edition. It was the Real Madrid striker’s 48th goal for France.

In what is likely to be his final appearance at a European Championship, the 36-year-old Lewandowski left with a goal, his 83rd international goal.

Thanks to their 3-2 victory over the Netherlands, the Austrians have six points, one more than the French.

Poland, eliminated from the competition, is now in last place with one point.— AP

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