By Mubukwanu Kaingu
Leipzig will be treated to battle royale tonight when France face the Netherlands in their penultimate Group D match.
This will be the second of two premium showdowns at Euro 2024 in Germany following last nights duel between Spain and holders Italy.
France and Netherlands head into the game following opening Group D 1-0 and 2-1 wins over Austria and Poland respectively.
Interestingly, it will be the two sides third successive meeting with the last two also from a Euro angle in their 2024 Group B qualifiers.
France best Holland 4-0 at home on March 24, 2023 and won 2-1 away last October on their way to finishing first and second in Group B in that order.
The Dutch last victory over France came three games ago in a UEFA Nations League match that the Netherlands won 2-0 at home on November 16, 2018.
But there is a huge doubt on the availability of France’s talisman and Netherlands tormentor in the qualifiers Kylian Mbappe who sustained a broken nose in the win over Austria.
Mbappe scored braces home and away against the Dutch.
News of Mbappe’s potential absence, despite reports of him returning to training, will be like freshly squeeze “Oranje” juice for the Netherlands.
Group E
15h00: Slovakia -Ukraine
Group D
18h00: Austria -Poland
21h00: France -Netherlands
