Controversial VAR decision dominates Netherlands vs France 0-0 draw

Xavi Simons had a second-half goal controversially canceled out as the Netherlands and France played out the first goalless tie of Euro 2024.

Key Moments and Controversial Decision

The Netherlands and France battled to a 0-0 draw in their Euro 2024 Group D encounter, a match marred by controversy over a disallowed goal by Dutch player Xavi Simons.

Simons’ Disallowed Goal:

In the second half, Xavi Simons unleashed a powerful strike from outside the box that found the back of the net, seemingly putting the Netherlands ahead.

However, referee Anthony Taylor immediately ruled out the goal, citing an obstruction of French goalkeeper Mike Maignan by Denzel Dumfries, who was positioned offside. This decision was upheld after a lengthy VAR review, leaving Dutch players and fans visibly frustrated and questioning the call.

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France’s Missed Opportunities

Absence of Mbappe:

France played without their captain, Kylian Mbappe, who was sidelined due to a broken nose sustained in their previous match against Austria. His absence was acutely felt as the French struggled to convert their chances.

Griezmann’s Misses:

Antoine Griezmann was particularly wasteful, failing to score from several clear opportunities. He missed a close-range shot after being set up by Adrien Rabiot, and squandered another chance by shooting wide.

Additionally, Griezmann sent a weak shot directly at Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen following a good setup by N’Golo Kante, highlighting France’s inefficiency in front of goal.

Dutch Frustrations

Memphis Depay’s Struggles:

Memphis Depay, tasked with leading the Dutch attack, had a disappointing performance and failed to make a significant impact. The Dutch supporters expressed their desire to see Wout Weghorst earlier in the game.

Weghorst, who scored a late winner against Poland in their first match, was brought on with 11 minutes remaining but had insufficient time to influence the result.

Impact on Group D:

The draw places both the Netherlands and France on four points each in Group D, while Poland is eliminated from the tournament. Despite the draw, both teams remain in a strong position to advance to the knockout stages.

Conclusion

The disallowed goal for the Netherlands will remain a contentious topic, especially given the lengthy VAR review that upheld the decision. This incident underscores the ongoing debates about the use of video technology in football.

Both teams will now focus on securing their places in the next round, looking to improve their performances in the remaining group matches.