Greece France drew 2-2 with Greece in the final Euro 2024 qualifier, after seven consecutive wins.
Goals: Bakasetas 56', Ioannidis 61' - Kolo Muani 42', Fofana 74'
Having already qualified for the finals and topped Group B, coach Didier Deschamps made several changes. Strikers Kylian Mbappe, Kingsley Coman, centre-back Dayot Upamecano and goalkeeper Mike Maignan all started on the bench.
France continued to press the pitch as in previous matches, with 14 shots and 62% possession. However, with the game held back and without Mbappe, the 2022 World Cup runner-up's attacking effectiveness dropped sharply. It wasn't until the 42nd minute that France opened the scoring. After a pass from Antoine Griezmann, Kolo Muani shot into a tight angle into the Greek net.
Dembele dribbles the ball during France's 2-2 draw with Greece in the final round of Euro 2024 qualifying on the evening of November 21, at Agia Sophia Stadium, Greece. Photo: Reuters
After the break, Greece surprisingly played more effectively. In the 56th minute, Tasos Bakasetas volleyed from outside the box past goalkeeper Brice Samba, leveling the score at 1-1. In the 61st minute, the unexpected happened again. After a coordinated move with his teammates, Fotis Ioannidis neatly finished the ball into the French net, raising the score to 2-1.
After falling behind, France finally woke up. Immediately after that, Deschamps sent Mbappe, Jonathan Clauss and Kingsley Coman onto the field. In the 74th minute, Mbappe passed the ball to Youssouf Fofana to shoot from afar to tie the score at 2-2. In the final minutes, France could have won three points. Coman's turn and shot in the penalty area went wide of the post, to the regret of himself and his teammates.
France finished their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with seven wins and a draw. They earned 22 points, tying with second-placed Netherlands on 18 points for a direct place in the finals. Meanwhile, Greece finished third with 13 points and had to play a play-off match.
Portugal became the only team to win all 10 matches in the Euro 2024 qualifiers. Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates won all 10 matches in Group J, scoring 36 goals and conceding only 2.
In the same match, the Netherlands beat Gibraltar 6-0. Feyenoord midfielder Calvin Stengs scored his first goal for the team, scoring a hat-trick.
Thanh Quy
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