France fail to beat Greece in final Euro 2024 qualifier

Date:

Captain Kylian Mbappe was given a rest from the starting line-up as France came from behind to draw 2-2 in Greece in their final Euro 2024 qualifier on Tuesday.

Last year’s World Cup runners-up had already secured a spot at the upcoming finals in Germany as one of the top seeds but were looking to finish with a one hundred per cent record from their eight games in Group B.

In the end they needed a powerful long-range strike by Monaco midfielder Youssouf Fofana in the 74th minute to deny Greece, European champions in 2004, the victory.

They might have won it in stoppage time, however, when Kingsley Coman’s deflected cutback appeared to cross the goal-line before spinning back onto the post and out.

However, it was missed by the officials, who had no technology to help them.

Fofana had played a part in France’s opener three minutes before halftime, as his pass was laid off by Olivier Giroud for Paris Saint-Germain striker Randal Kolo Muani, who took a touch and drilled a powerful strike in off the underside of the bar from a tight angle.

Read Also: Can Peseiro Deliver Eagles World Cup Ticket?

The hosts were already confirmed in third place in the group, with the Netherlands the other automatic qualifiers.

Greece know their chances of reaching the Euro will depend on the outcome of play-offs next March, in which they will take on Kazakhstan for the right to play Georgia or Luxembourg in a decider.

Yet they produced a determined fightback at the OPAP Arena in Athens, drawing level 11 minutes after the restart thanks to a fine volley from the edge of the box by captain Tasos Bakasetas that gave goalkeeper Brice Samba no chance.

Five minutes later, Fotis Ioannidis gave them the lead after being set up by Dimitris Giannoulis.

Fofana equalised before the drama at the end, which also saw Mbappe, on as a substitute, denied an injury-time winner as his strike was tipped onto the bar and over by goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos.

Share post:

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Latest News

Igali thumbs up Bayelsa United over Rivers United win, charges them to maintain momentum

The commissioner for Sports Development, Bayelsa State, honourable Daniel...

Shehu Dikko Urges Innovative Thinking From NSC Departments for Sustainable Development

National Sports Commission (NSC) Chairman, Shehu Dikko, has urged...

Organisers harp on sustaining achievements of NPFL

The quality of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL)...

Joao Pereira to replace Amorim as Sporting coach

Joao Pereira will take over from Manchester United-bound Ruben...

Popular

More like this
Related

Igali thumbs up Bayelsa United over Rivers United win, charges them to maintain momentum

The commissioner for Sports Development, Bayelsa State, honourable Daniel...

Shehu Dikko Urges Innovative Thinking From NSC Departments for Sustainable Development

National Sports Commission (NSC) Chairman, Shehu Dikko, has urged...

Organisers harp on sustaining achievements of NPFL

The quality of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL)...