Euro 2024, Football

Euro 2024 – Netherlands vs France: Controversial offside call sees Netherlands and France play out goalless draw

In Kylian Mbappe’s absence, the offside debate dominated the game as the Netherlands and France drew 0-0 in Group D in Leipzig.

Late in the game, Xavi Simons believed he had given the Netherlands the lead, but Denzel Dumfries’ influence on the play caused the flag to fly. Stuart Attwell, the video assistant referee, confirmed Anthony Taylor’s ruling that it was out.

The custodian, Mike Maignan, appeared unprepared to dive as the ball arrowed into the bottom corner, making the call extremely questionable. This much-anticipated match concluded in the first goalless draw of the tournament, but the English officials disregarded it.

Without Mbappe, who stayed on the sidelines due to a broken nose, Didier Deschamps’ team had been leading the entire time. Antoine Griezmann had the finest opportunity, but he was unable to complete.

Due to the draw, the Netherlands continues to lead Group D, one goal ahead of France on goal differential. Poland, who had earlier in the day been defeated 3-1 by Austria, is now the first country to be eliminated from Euro 2024 as a result of the outcome.

According to the IFAB Laws of the Game:

A player in an offside position at the moment the ball is played or touched* by a team-mate is only penalised on becoming involved in active play by:

interfering with play by playing or touching a ball passed or touched by a team-mate or

interfering with an opponent by:

preventing an opponent from playing or being able to play the ball by clearly obstructing the opponent’s line of vision or

challenging an opponent for the ball or

clearly attempting to play a ball which is close when this action impacts on an opponent or

making an obvious action which clearly impacts on the ability of an opponent to play the ball


*The first point of contact of the ‘play’ or ‘touch’ of the ball should be used.

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