Netherlands and France meet in a mouthwatering Euro 2024 group stage clash tonight, but there may be no Kylian Mbappe.
The French captain and superstar striker broke his nose during Les Bleus' 1-0 win over Austria and is only fit enough for the bench.
3
Didier Deschamps' side got the job done in their opening game without looking too convincing, and they'll have to step up against the Dutch.
Ronald Koeman's side also won their opening match with a 2-1 victory over Poland in Hamburg.
Wout Weghorst was the hero for the Netherlands as he came off the bench to score with his first touch and set the Dutch up for this special encounter.
Netherlands vs France: Date and how to follow
This Group D clash will take place on Friday, June 21.
Read more on Euro 2024
Kick-off at the Leipzig Stadium is scheduled for 8pm UK time.
talkSPORT will have full coverage of the match, with Hugh Woozencroft serving as your presenter.
Commentary comes from Joe Shennan and former Scotland striker Chris Iwelumo.
To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, clickHERE for the live stream.
You can also listen via thetalkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
The tie will also be shown on free-to-air TV onBBCOne.
3
- This will be the fourth meeting between the Netherlands and France at the UEFA EURO. France prevailed on penalties in the quarter-finals in 1996, whilst the Netherlands won both of their group stage encounters (3-2 in 2000, 4-1 in 2008).
- France have won seven of their last eight matches against the Netherlands in all competitions, with the exception being a 2-0 loss in the UEFA Nations League in November 2018.
- Only four of the previous 30 matches between the Netherlands and France have ended in a draw (15 wins for France, 11 wins for the Netherlands).
Netherlands vs France: Team news
Netherlands XI: Verbruggen, Dumfries, de Vrij, van Dijk, Ake, Schouten, Reijnders, Frimpong, Simons, Gakpo, Depay
Subs: Geertruida, de Ligt, Wijnaldum, Weghorst, Bijlow, van de Ven, Veerman, Blind, Malen, Brobbey, Maatsen, Zirkzee, Flekken, Bergwijn, Gravenberch
France XI: Maignan, Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Hernandez, Kante, Tchouameni, Rabiot, Dembele, Griezmann, Thuram
Most read in Euro 2024
Georgia stun Portugal, Belgium to face France in last-16 as Romania top Group E
Who England will face in last 16 as Three Lions top group to avoid horrible draw
Netherlands thrash German fourth tier side in friendly ahead of possible England clash
Foden temporarily leaves England Euro 2024 camp to attend birth of third child
Subs: Samba, Pavard, Mendy, Camavinga, Giroud, Mbappe, Muani, Zaire Emery, Fofana, Coman, Clauss, Areola, Konate, Barcola
3
- Excluding shootouts, Netherlands have lost just one of their last 17 games at major international tournaments (World Cup/EURO), going down 2-0 against Czechia in EURO 2020 (W12 D4). They had lost four in a row before this run (3 games at EURO 2012, and the 2010 FIFA World Cup final).
- France are looking to win their opening two matches at a UEFA EURO tournament for a fourth time – on each of the previous three occasions they’ve done so, they have gone on to reach the final: in 1984, 2000 and 2016.
- Cody Gakpo has scored in all four of his starts for the Netherlands in the group stages of major tournaments (World Cup/EUROs). In all competitions, the Liverpool forward has been involved in six goals in his last eight appearances for Oranje (4 goals, 2 assists).
Netherlands vs France: What has been said?
Deschamps has confirmed that Mbappe will have surgery on his broken nose after Euro 2024.
He said: "This Wednesday there will be more tests to see his evolution.
"It was a major shock. The medical staff did everything necessary to reduce it as much as possible, after the tests.
"Even if there is not surgery immediately, he will have to do it after the tournament.
"This morning he was already a little better, so we will see. We will follow it closely every day."
Meanwhile, Adrien Rabiot also provided his view.
He said: "When we talk about Kylian Mbappe’s broken nose, I do not think it is the end of the world. He can recover very fast.
"I also understand that he is not officially ruled out. So, things are not yet confirmed.
Read More on talkSPORT
"We have an exceptional group of players, so I am not going to complain. But, I am not going to hide my feelings either – we all want him to play [against the Netherlands on Friday]."
- Three of Wout Weghorst’s four goals at major tournaments (World Cup/EUROs) have come as a substitute, including his winner with his first touch against Poland in the opening game. It’s the most sub goals a Netherlands player has ever scored in major tournament history.
- France manager Didier Deschamps won his seventh UEFA EURO match in 12 attempts (D4 L1) in their 1-0 win over Austria. In UEFA European Championship history, only Joachim Löw (12 wins in 21 games) has ever registered more victories as a manager than Deschamps.
- Kylian Mbappé had four shots without scoring in their 1-0 win over Austria, taking his total to 18 attempts without scoring at the UEFA EURO, the most of any Frenchman since 1980. By contrast, at the World Cup he has scored 12 goals in 14 matches with a 31% shot conversion rate.
- The Netherlands are Kylian Mbappé’s favourite opponent – he has scored six goals in five matches against the Dutch, more than against any other side in his international career with France. His first ever goal for Les Bleus came against the Netherlands in August 2017.
talkSPORT will bring you live commentary of EVERY game at Euro 2024. Tune in via the website or the app, and follow our live Euro 2024 blog for all the latest news, views and reaction to the big moments.
Listen live to talkSPORT
