It’s still all to play for in Group D on the final matchday, 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, on Friday night (D 0-0).
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. Concerningly though where those hopes are concerned, the French haven’t won their final group stage match at any of the last eight major tournaments (World Cup/Euros) they’ve partaken in (D4, L4), a run which should they extend, would make it impossible to top the group and could even mean they exit the competition.
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 H2H win against France since 1982 (D4, L4 since), it’s hard to find many sources of inspiration for Poland.
Players to watch: It’s been a tournament to remember so far for N’Golo Kanté, who has won two UEFA Man of the Match awards, and he’s now made more major tournament appearances without losing than any other European player (W12, D5). Lewandowski is the only player to score a H2H goal for Poland since the turn of the century, but incredibly, none of his four goalscoring Euro appearances have ended in victory (D2, L2).
Hot stat: Poland have scored exactly once in seven of their last eight games at the Euro finals.
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