Beaten in a thrilling World Cup final in Qatar, France now turn their focus to Euro 2024 facing heavyweights Netherlands at home in their first qualifying game.
FRA vs NED Match Details
Date: Friday, 24 March 2023 / Saturday, 25 March 2023
Time: 20:45 (CET) / 01:15 (IST)
Venue: Stade de France, Paris
FRA vs NED Match Preview
France
France produced another inspiring tale on the world stage in coming close to retaining their title but was eventually beaten by winners Argentina in a tense penalty shootout. Kylian Mbappe struck twice late in normal time to rescue Les Bleus from 2-0 down and then completed his hat-trick to level up the score again, making it 3-3 in 120 minutes. However, luck ran out in the shootout which ended 4-2 in La Albiceleste’s favor. France will not be dimmed by the result in the memorable final as they progressed to this stage with tournament-winning experience missing due to injuries prior to the contest and also an unfortunate virus outbreak just before the showpiece. Didier Deschamps will now like to continue his legacy as the manager of the team after signing a contract extension till 2026. He lost the second final with France, the first one being the European championship in 2016 which is a trophy they want to add to their collection finally for the third time in their history and the first since 2000. They face a severe test against Netherlands to begin with at home following their defeats in two of the last three games at Stade de France in the forgetful Nations League campaign in 2022, relegated from League A. Deschamps’s men will try not to read much on that as they are favorites to finish in the automatic spot for the finals in Germany but will have a tough battle with the top-place rivals in the first game itself. After all, they have lost only once in the past 19 qualifying games.
Netherlands
Argentina were also the barrier for the Netherlands in the quarterfinals and like France, eliminated them from a penalty shootout after the Dutch forced extra-time equalizing in the last kick of the 90 minutes to make it 2-2. Wout Weghorst came up with the heroic brace that evening in Qatar but ultimately could not save the day. Virgil van Dijk and Steven Berghuis missed from 12 yards which proved costly in bowing out 4-3 on penalties. Three months after the tournament, Ronald Koeman took the reins for the second time with Louis van Gaal’s third spell for the national side coming to an end. Still no silverware for the Dutch since 1988 in Men’s football although a welcome return to the World Cup should be cherished. With another familiar face back in the dugout, Koeman would like to complete some unfinished work from the first spell and guide them to a second consecutive Euro appearance once again. He managed the side to a Nation's League final previously, also winning six of his last eight Euro qualifiers last time. In the previous meeting against France, the Dutch legend oversaw a 2-0 victory at home in the 2018-19 Nations League. But that was the only win secured in the last six meetings of this fixture. Hence, it will be a drop in confidence if they lose the early top-of-the-table clash against the hosts on Friday. Netherlands is expected not to find difficulties against the other teams in the group so a positive start will be vital.
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FRA: DWWWL
NED: DWWDW
FRA vs NED Team News
France had a lot of their World Cup-winning legends retiring after the 2022 tournament including the captain and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris with the armband now officially given to Kylian Mbappe to the much annoyance of Antoine Griezmann who took the vice-captaincy role instead. Karim Benzema and Raphael Varane have also announced their international retirement while Wesley Fofana and William Saliba withdrew from the squad due to injury. Ibrahima Konate, Axel Disasi and the uncapped Jean-Clair Todibo have been called up in their place in the back four. Olivier Giroud is the oldest member of the squad at the age of 36 and will lead the line flanked by the attackers with whom France will wish the captaincy decision has not strained the relationship, at least on the pitch.
Netherlands have been hit with a virus outbreak in the camp with their star forward Cody Gakpo along with Sven Botman, Matthijs de Ligt, Joey Veerman and Bart Verbruggen forced to pull out. Frenkie de Jong and Steven Bergwijn were already lost due to injuries leading to Ronald Koeman making a lot of changes in the starting lineup for the clash against France. Ryan Gravenberch, Inter Milan defender Stefan de Vrij and Vitesse Arnhem goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen are called up to refill the depleted squad. Lutsharel Geertruida will seize the opportunity to receive his first cap for his country while Xavi Simons could earn his first start for the Oranje shirts upfront alongside Memphis Depay and Wout Weghorst. Daley Blind is set to receive his 100th international cup on Friday.
FRA vs NED Predicted Lineups
FRA: Mike Maignan; Jules Kounde, Ibrahima Konate, Dayot Upamecano, Theo Hernandez; Aurelien Tchouameni, Adrien Rabiot; Kingsley Coman, Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe; Olivier Giroud
NED: Jasper Cillessen; Denzel Dumfries, Stefan de Vrij, Van Dijk, Nathan Ake; Georginio Wijnaldum, De Roon, Steven Berghuis; Memphis Depay, Wout weghorst, Xavi Simons
FRA vs NED Head to head
FRA won - 14
Draw - 3
NED won - 11
(Overall meetings)
FRA vs NED Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Maignan (7.5)
DEF: Blind (8.5), Van Dijk (8), T Hernandez (8.5)
MID: Dumfries (8.5), Rabiot (8.5), Klaassen (8), Griezmann (9)
FW: Depay (8.5), Giroud (8.5), Mbappe (9)
Vice-captain: Antoine Griezmann
Captain: Kylian Mbappe
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