{"id":1356790,"date":"2024-06-25T19:17:00","date_gmt":"2024-06-25T18:17:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1356790"},"modified":"2024-09-01T22:59:47","modified_gmt":"2024-09-01T21:59:47","slug":"euro-2024-group-d-austria-shock-france-netherlands","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/euro-2024-group-d-austria-shock-france-netherlands\/","title":{"rendered":"Five things learned as Euro 2024 Group D concludes: Toothless attack has France worried"},"content":{"rendered":"

We moved another step closer to finding out the last 16 of Euro 2024<\/a> as Group D came to a close.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Going into the final round of fixtures, we knew that both Netherlands and France were guaranteed at spot in the knockout stages. But we didn’t know where they would finish, and whether Austria would be joining them.<\/p>\n

So, here’s what transpired.<\/p>\n

[dugoutvideo id=”eyJrZXkiOiIiLCJwIjoic3F1YXdrYSIsInBsIjoiS25BVzdIeXgifQ==” partner=”squawka”]<\/p>\n

Toothless France must improve<\/h2>\n

France were among the favourites to win Euro 2024 and what matters to them is that they are in the knockout stages.<\/p>\n

But if they are to win Euro 2024, France need to improve massively. And fast.<\/p>\n

There’s a sense of pragmatism to France’s side, ensuring they have a defence that’s tough to beat. After all, you can’t really lose if you don’t concede (unless it goes all the way to penalties). But fans are feeling the disappointment when looking at France’s attack.<\/p>\n

For all the attacking talent in their squad, France are yet to score from open play at Euro 2024. Their opening 1-0 win over Austria came via an own goal, before the goalless draw against Netherlands.<\/p>\n

And, against Poland, Mbappe opened the scoring from the penalty spot after Jakub Kiwior brought down Ousmane Dembele. It was France’s 42nd shot at Euro 2024, one of the longest waits for a goal in the tournament’s history.<\/p>\n

But it wasn’t enough. For France’s 19 shots and eight on target, with an xG of 2.35, they didn’t test the goalkeeper enough. And that could be a worry.<\/p>\n

\n

Kylian Mbapp\u00e9 has scored a European Championship goal for the first time in his career.<\/p>\n

The Lucky Mask. ?#EURO2024<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/UTVnZ8tqh3<\/a><\/p>\n

— Squawka (@Squawka) June 25, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n