euro 24 group d - Historical Football Kits

2024 European Football Championship Group D

euro 24 logo France are second in the FIFA rankings and possess a formidable team. Kylan Mbappé, who emerged as a young star in the 2018 World Cup has developed into one the the world's best players and captains the side. The Netherlands (ranked 7) are a good unit but they have suffered defeats at the hands of their main rivals, Croatia, Italy, France and Germany in the last 12 months which may dent their confidence. With the remarkable Robert Lewandowski leadng the team, Poland can be a very effective side but they can also be leaden and one-paced so it rather depends on which team turns up on the day. Austria are the weakest side in the group on paper but they have suffered only one defeat in the last year, at home to Belgium last October.

Kit graphics by Daniel Stoker

Euro 24 Index

European Championships Index

Poland

Netherlands

Poland 1 Netherlands 2

Volksparkstadion Hamburg
16 June

With Lewandowski forced to sit this one out because of injury, Poland made a bright start, taking the lead in the 13th minute thanks to Adam Buksa's header. The Dutch pressed hard searching for the equaliser and got their reward in the 29th minute when Gakpo's shot was deflected, wrongfooting Szczesny. The second half was entertaining and while the Netherlands dominated posession, both sides had chances. In the 83rd minute, however, Weghorst shot the Dutch into the lead from close range. Poland looked shattered and were unable to reply in the time left.

Austria

France

Austria 0 France 1

Düsseldorf Arena
17 June

Playing controlled, patient football, France rarely looked under pressure while Mbappé was ready to pounce at any time. The goal came when the French captain cut the ball back in having whipped round the Austian defence's flank. As it flew past his head, Maximilian Wöber instinctively put his head in the way only to divert the ball into his own goal in the 38th minute. In the second half, with his team cruising, Mbappé went off with a broken nose, casting dubt on whether he would be fit to play against the Netherlands.

Poland

Austria

Poland 1 Austria 3

Olympiastadion, Berlin
21 June

Austria were impressive in an exciting game that both teams had to win to keep their hopes alive. Trauner gave Austria an early lead but Krzysztof Piątek equalised on the half-hour, taking a touch as the ball ricocheted to him before deftly turning it into the Austrian goal. In the second-half the teams were evenly matched but it was Austria who went ahead, Baumgartner running on to a through ball and slotting it past Szczęsny (66'). Ten minutes later Szczęsny caught Sabitzer on the ankle with his chin and Arnautovic converted the penalty.

Netherlands

France

Netherlands 0 France 0

Leipzig Stadium
21 June

France's coach Deschamps decided to rest Mbappé for this match, which ended goal-less but offered a fair few chances, most of them by the French. In the 75th minute Depay received the ball with his back to goal, turned and smashed in a shot that Maignan managed to beat away only for Simons to tuck it away. Referee Anthony Taylor disallowed the goal because Senzel Dumfries was in an offside position. His decision was confirmed by VAR.

This result eliminated Poland.

Netherlands

Austria

Netherlands 2 Austria 3

Olympiastadion, Berlin
25 June

They may have been the weakest member of the group on paper but Austria deserved their win and finished top of Group D with 6 points. The Netherlands came from behind twice in a thrilling game that was settled in the 81st minute by Marcel Sabitzer's strike.

France

Poland

France 1 Poland 1

BVB Stadion Dortmund
25 June

A late penalty by Robert Lewandowski robbed France of first place in the group and consigned them to the tougher side of the draw for the next round. France took the lead 15 minutes into the second half with a penalty of their own but looked ineffective against a Polish side that had already been eliminated. France finished the group stage with just one own goal and a penalty to show for it.