France’s crucial Group D clash against the Netherlands on Friday could see them playing without their star striker, Kylian Mbappe. Mbappe suffered a broken nose in the opening match against Austria and will require a protective mask when he returns to action. His potential absence could be a welcome sight for the Dutch, who have historically struggled against the French forward.
During the Euro qualifying phase, both nations were drawn into the same group, with France emerging victorious in both matches, with Mbappe scoring an impressive four goals. In fact, the Netherlands are Mbappe’s favorite opponent, having scored five goals in six games against them. His first international goal, back in 2017, also came against the Dutch.
The Netherlands will be hoping to avoid a repeat of their previous encounters with France, where Mbappe’s brilliance proved too much to handle. This game is likely to determine who tops Group D, making it a pivotal encounter for both teams.
Here are the expected lineups for the Netherlands vs France clash:
