As the countdown to Euro 2024 in Germany begins, the French national team is fine-tuning its lineup and strategies in the final warm-up matches. In their latest fixture, France held Canada to a 0-0 draw in Bordeaux, signaling a cautious approach ahead of the tournament.
Star forward Kylian Mbappe received some much-needed rest, featuring for only about 20 minutes in the match. Despite his limited playtime, Mbappe remains a pivotal figure for France, especially after scoring in the recent 3-0 friendly win against Luxembourg. His move from Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid has been finalized, and he is expected to be in top form for the upcoming European Championship.
The Bordeaux game was also a sentimental farewell, marking Olivier Giroud's last home appearance for France. The seasoned striker is set to join Los Angeles FC in Major League Soccer and will retire from the national team following Euro 2024. Giroud's contributions to French football have been significant, and his departure marks the end of an era.
Looking ahead, France is placed in Group D alongside Poland and the Netherlands, aiming to replicate or surpass their impressive performance as runners-up to Argentina in the 2022 World Cup. Their opening match at Euro 2024 is scheduled for June 17 against Austria.
In other Euro 2024 developments, defending champions Italy secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina, with Davide Frattesi netting the decisive goal. Italy, who previously won Euro 2020 but missed out on the last two World Cups, will kick off their campaign against Albania. Group B also includes Spain and Croatia, both of whom showcased strong performances in recent friendlies.
Slovakia delivered a convincing 4-0 win over Wales, intensifying the spotlight on Welsh manager Rob Page. Slovakia will face Belgium in their opening match, while Group E features Romania and Ukraine. Additionally, Montenegro faced a 3-1 defeat at home against Georgia, who join Group F with Portugal, TĂĽrkiye, and the Czech Republic.
As teams finalize their preparations, the stage is set for an exciting Euro 2024 filled with emerging talents, strategic plays, and memorable moments. Fans around the world eagerly await the kickoff, anticipating thrilling matches and the crowning of a new European champion.
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France draw with Canada in their final warm-up before Euro 2024
cgtn.com
