The second week of this European Championship started in much the same way the first had finished — with some late drama, chaotic scenes among the fans and two heavyweights slugging it out in a tense contest.
To start at the end. France and the Netherlands may have played out the tournament’s first goalless draw — watched by Kylian Mbappe from the substitutes’ bench — but that did not mean the game was devoid of drama.
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Xavi Simons thought he had put the Dutch ahead in the second half only for the officials, after a lengthy video consultation, to decide that Denzel Dumfries had impeded France goalkeeper Mike Maignan from an offside position. The Netherlands were not impressed.
Yet for all the starpower on display in Leipzig, the most emotional scenes of the day — and perhaps even the tournament so far — came in Dusseldorf earlier in the afternoon, when Ukraine recorded their first victory of the Euros by beating Slovakia 2-1.
Later, Austria underlined their status as an outside contender to reach the latter stages with an impressive win over Poland in Berlin. Ralf Rangnick’s side won 3-1 and could have scored more in a dominant performance.
Our writers run you through the highlights of the day.
Why were the Dutch denied victory?
The pre-match debate may have centred on Kylian Mbappe and whether he would feature for France after having his nose broken against Austria (and, if he did, what kind of mask would he wear) but in the event, the new Real Madrid striker was reduced to the role of spectator, with France manager Didier Deschamps deciding not to risk him.
Instead, attention soon turned to the biggest refereeing controversy of the tournament so far.
It came in the 73rd minute. Simons rifled the ball into the net from the edge of the box but, standing next to goalkeeper Maignan, in an offside position, was Netherlands defender Dumfries.
The flag was raised and referee Anthony Taylor ruled the goal out. The officials judged Dumfries to be interfering with play and impeding Maignan’s ability to save the shot.
Then came the VAR check, which confirmed Taylor’s decision. Simons looked crestfallen.
But was it the right call? Well, this was not going to be an easy, quick assessment like the other semi-automated calls we have seen during this tournament. It relied on a subjective decision about whether Dumfries was interfering with play, and therefore active.
The letter of the law deems a player to be “interfering with play” in four ways:
- Preventing an opponent from being able to play the ball by clearly obstructing the opponent’s line of vision
- Challenging an opponent for the ball
- Clearly attempting to play a ball which is close when this action impacts on an opponent
- Making an obvious action which clearly impacts on the ability of an opponent to play the ball
An angle from behind the goalkeeper illustrates more clearly just how much of an impact Dumfries was having on Maignan.
Dumfries was not blocking Maignan’s vision. Nor, did it seem, was he trying to play the ball. The question is whether Dumfries prevented the France goalkeeper playing the ball before it flew past him into the net. He had barely got to his feet as the ball went by. It looked harsh.
Ultimately, the VAR — the English official Stuart Attwell, a familiar face to Premier League fans — decided it was not a clear error. And that is likely why they belatedly stuck with the onfield decision.
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So, was it a good process? Well… the Dutch contingent did not think so.
Peter Rutzler
Ukraine’s tears flow… for all the right reasons
Three days after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, a moment of rare beauty emerged from the suffering — Roman Yaremchuk was substituted on by Benfica and rewarded with both the captain’s armband and a standing ovation. It was enough for tears to well in his eyes.
🇺🇦 This moment… Speachless! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/EpgNydnZer
— SL Benfica (@slbenfica_en) February 27, 2022
Yaremchuk lost 6kg in the opening weeks of the war and the last two years have seen his career derailed. He was sold to Club Bruges in Belgium, then loaned to Spanish club Valencia, but scored just three La Liga goals. Rebrov’s decision to bring him on for Artem Dovbyk, who scored 24 for another Spanish club, Girona, with 10 minutes remaining in Dusseldorf was a bold one.
And Yaremchuk duly provided his own moment of beauty for his country. It looked as if nothing could be done with a long and slightly aimless ball into the right-hand channel but Yaremchuk cushioned it with silk, caressing rather than controlling.
With Martin Dubravka onrushing, his final touch was more functional — a toe which wormed its way towards the line, but for the Ukrainian fans behind the goal, its slow pace suspended reality.
At full-time, Yaremchuk broke down in tears once more. Behind him, fans were video calling their families from the stands. The reason why many of them could not be there is obvious.
This victory means Ukraine can dream again of qualifying for the last 16, but it was a day which resonated for reasons far greater than a mere three points.
The country’s domestic league has been shattered, their squad scattered across Europe. This proved what was still possible.
“A win like today, that’s a huge message for the soldiers, for the people in the country,” said young goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin. “Football in Ukraine is still alive. We need to push as a national team, push our game, our achievement. We need to come back because we are Ukraine.”
Jacob Whitehead
Arnautovic struts like a peacock
Ralf Rangnick made a big call up front, recalling Marko Arnautovic back into the starting XI in place of Michael Gregoritsch after the latter got the nod against France earlier in the week.
Bologna forward Arnautovic, 35, who spent last season on loan with Inter Milan, is heading for the end of his career now but remains one of Austria’s key men.
He’s not the fiery, me-against-the-world youngster he once was, but he can still strut like a peacock. So how would he fare leading Austria’s high intensity, high-pressing game?
Well, he wasn’t exactly haring around like a greyhound, but his work rate was great, he won the ball back in the final third, he linked up well in Austria’s dangerous front four and he had a couple of sights at goal.
You would imagine Rangnick would prefer a younger version of the former West Ham United and Stoke player to lead his line, but Arnautovic did pretty well and it was his clever dummy that led to Baumgartner putting Austria ahead in the second half.
With 15 minutes to go Gregoritsch was waiting impatiently to come on as a substitute, presumably for Arnautovic, but then Sabitzer won a penalty and nobody was going to stop the captain taking it.
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His 37th goal for Austria was one of his most important… and then he was subbed.
Tim Spiers
Baggio targeted by robbers
Amid the football drama, there was a more sombre story playing out in Italy after it emerged that Ballon d’Or winner Roberto Baggio’s villa had been broken into by armed robbers on the night of his country’s Euro 2024 group stage game against Spain.
Baggio, who made 56 appearances for Italy and scored 27 goals, is reported to have been assaulted and then locked in a room with his family while the robbers carried out a home invasion on Thursday.
Baggio, 57, attended a local hospital where he received treatment for a head injury. A statement issued on behalf of his family confirmed he needed stitches and suffered bruising in the incident.
Carabinieri, one of Italy’s law enforcement agencies, in nearby Vicenza have started an investigation.
“I wish to express my support and solidarity to Roberto Baggio and his family,” the governor of the Veneto region Luca Zaia said in a statement. “I’m sure I can send him the embrace of all the people from this region who he made dream with his unparalleled skill on pitches all around the world.
“The experience he had in his home, struck and robbed by unspeakable criminals, unites his with other families who have unfortunately suffered similar experiences. As in all cases, we trust that the criminals will soon be brought to justice.”
James Horncastle
What’s next?
Tomorrow is the final day of Euro 2024’s triple headers, and it should be a good one.
- Georgia v Czech Republic (2pm BST/9am ET)
- Turkey v Portugal (5pm BST/12pm ET)
- Belgium v Romania (8pm BST/3pm ET)
(Top photo: Clive Mason/Getty Images)