Robert Lewandowski annoys the French with his cheeky penalty goal that knocks the Équipe Tricolore off the Group D leader's throne. Kylian Mbappé, however, is furious with the Poland star because of another scene.
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- European Championship co-favorites France are also unable to fully convince in their final group game and only draw 1-1 against Poland, leaving the French in second place in Group B.
- Robert Lewandowski caused a stir with his delayed run-up before scoring the penalty to make it 1-1.
- Kylian Mbappé is also annoyed with Lewandowski for a punch to the face. The TV cameras capture the masked man's vicious insult.
France had everything under control for a long time against Poland, creating chance after chance, and when Kylian Mbappé redeemed the French side with a penalty in the 56th minute, it seemed like the game was finally over. But they were wrong: In the 79th minute, the Poles were also awarded a penalty after Dayot Upamecano was too impetuous in the penalty area.
Robert Lewandowski runs up, stops again and again before shooting - and ultimately fails to beat France goalkeeper Mike Maignan. But because the keeper left his line too early, the penalty is retaken. The same play again, but this time the ball bobbles in the net.
The net reacts angrily to Lewandowski's cheeky run-up. "Ridiculous", "bottomless impudence", "unsportsmanlike" or "that should be forbidden" are the words of numerous users on X. But the stop attempt is definitely in line with the rules.
Patrick Ittrich, referee expert at Magenta TV, explains: "The problem is that he is allowed to stop as often as he wants during the run-up. It's only when it comes to the shot and his supporting leg is next to the ball that the momentum has to be carried through. And that's what he did. Even if it looks funny and is annoying for the goalkeeper, it's allowed."
Mbappé insults Lewandowski
Lewandowski's penalty is not the only reason why the French are up in arms. Kylian Mbappé, who is playing with a mask after breaking his nose, is furious with the Barça striker in the final minutes after he hit him in the face with his hand during a defensive action.
The TV cameras catch Mbappé's reaction - and you don't have to be a good lip-reader to recognize the words the masked man uses to complain: "C'est ce fils de p***" (German: "That son of a h***!")
Lewandowski won't care. With his goal to make it 1:1, he at least saves the Poles a point. The Poles are nevertheless eliminated from the group in last place, while France will take on the runners-up from Group E in the round of 16.
