“Always good to hear mention of Neil Pointon,” emails Simon Frank. “His nickname, Dissa, is in the top one.”

Why not take a look at Ben Fisher’s report of Austria’s win against Poland:

And Jacob Steinberg on England:

Plus! Barney Ronay on England:

Neither side has been very good, let’s face it. France have been efficient and a bit niggly and cynical. The Netherlands have shown flashes in attack, and the selection of Frimpong by Koeman looks a good one: he’s been a threat on their right wing, and probably should have made more of that chance in the very first minute.

Anyway, we live in hope that the second half delivers in style.

45 min: One minute added. This has not been a classic thus far.

44 min: Depay is wearing a thick white headband. I should have told you that earlier really. Anyway, the teams look ready for half-time oranges (oranges?). Ake slips and commits a handball somewhere in midfield. Cheshire’s Anthony Taylor is only too happy to blow his whistle, as per.

43 min: “Jerdy Schouten - I’d not heard of him before, but it’s a shame he wasn’t around at the time of Neil Pointon, one of Manchester City’s greats from the 1990s,” emails Charles Antaki. “The combination of Pointon and Schouten in midfield would be unbeatable. Or unignorable anyway.”

Like it, Charles.

42 min: A few drinks are thrown at Griezmann by Dutch fans when he goes to take the corner. No need for that. The France captain hits a poor corner and it’s cut out at the near post.

41 min: Griezmann belts the free-kick at the wall. De Vrij leaps and heads it out for a corner …

40 min: Now Van Dijk fouls Dembele on the edge of the Dutch area. Dembele makes a big fuss about it – but it is a foul. Danger for the Netherlands from this set-piece. He’s gonna flick one …

39 min: Griezmann bends in the set-piece. Van Dijk is on hand to clear with his head. Upamecano then miscontrols and coughs up a throw for France. On the bench, Deschamps is pictured deep in conversation, somewhat concerned with events on the pitch.

38 min: Schouten finds Frimpong, hugging the touchline, with a good, crisp pass. But Reijnders then loses it, and France can counter quickly. Thuram is fouled and France have a free-kick in a handy position not far from the Dutch penalty area.

36 min: Netherlands come again: Simons has a sight of goal from outside the penalty area, but hits a limp shot straight at Maignan.

35 min: Griezmann loses it in midfield. Frimpong again finds himself bearing down on the French defence. He drifts outside and hits a right-footed shot but Saliba defends it expertly, easily getting in position to block the Leverkusen man’s effort.

33 min: There are times when the pace of this game drops significantly but I’m not convinced a draw really suits either team. The Dutch must play Austria next, who have been impressive, while France will meet a Poland team desperate to make some impact on the tournament, if nothing else.

31 min: Schouten is booked for a foul on Griezmann in the centre circle as the two go shoulder to shoulder. That is a blatant dive from Griezmann as far as I can see. Schouten immediately begins to wag his finger as the Frenchman goes down, warning the referee that his opponent is trying to buy the free-kick … but he goes in the book anyway. Poor refereeing in my view.

29 min: Another free-kick for a supposed foul on Griezmann this time.

27 min: Kounde, whose passing and crossing is a big threat from full-back, plays an excellent angled ball over the top from the French right. Thuram runs on to it – and he’s in so much space he looks offside - but on replay is shown to have timed his run perfectly. No matter because he hits a poor shot that flies over the crossbar from an angle.

26 min: Gakpo, Frimpong and Depay are suddenly running at the France back line. Koeman is looking to use their pace on the counterattack which is entirely sensible. Gakpo drifts inside with the ball and tries to find Depay with a pacy pass to the right. But it’s a naff effort and goes out for a corner. That was a decent injection of speed from the men in orange, however.

25 min: Rabiot is fouled now with the Netherlands in a promising position. Anthony Taylor’s being a bit fussy for my liking and breaking up the rhythm of the game by awarding regular free-kicks.

23 min: The tempo drops a touch. The Netherlands have a free kick, not far inside the France half, which is launched to the back post in a crowded box by Depay. Dumfries gets his noggin on it, but only succeeds in sending it out for a goal kick. The fans, meanwhile, are making a large amount of noise and very much enjoying their evening.

22 min: Permutations-wise, if this is a draw, Poland are out.

20 min: France are now the team stroking a few passes around, although they work the ball back and play it around the back four. Griezmann comes deep to coordinate an attack. Thuram takes a lofted pass down well with expert ease, but then Rabiot belts a long attempted cross straight out for a goal kick.

18 min: Now it’s France’s turn again. Kante is involved in a slick counter. France win a corner. De Vrij gets rid.

17 min: We’re warming up now. Gakpo cuts in from the Dutch left and cracks a curling shot that is destined for the bottom corner. Maignan gets down to his left and beats it out – an excellent save. The resulting corner is wasted. It’s threatening to really spark into life any moment, this match …

14 min: Gynormous France chance! Rabiot is suddenly one on one with Verbruggen after a nice flick by Thuram on the edge of the box. He’s on the edge of the six-yard box and surely has to shoot? But he tries to square it for Griezmann. Griezmann in turn completely fluffs his shot, falling over as he does so … the Dutch can half clear but France immediately come again. Kante tees up Griezmann and he bends a shot from close range wide of the near post. Two big let offs for the Netherlands.

View image in fullscreen

13 min: Kounde bends an excellent delivery in from the French right wing. Griezmann is there to meet it: but a superb defensive header by Reijnders sees him flick the ball to safety.

11 min: Now Dumfries makes a searching run from full-back down the Dutch right. Saliba is fouled and wins a free-kick. France have been quiet, and without Mbappé they do lack that constant threat on the counter. Can the front three selected by Deschamps step up?

10 min: The Dutch are moving the ball nicely and keeping possession. They play around in an advanced area while France assume the defensive position and close space down efficiently. Koeman will be pleased with the composure his side are showing on the ball.

8 min: The Netherlands come again. Depay is fed by Simons, into his feet, on the penalty spot. He has his back to goal: Saliba is man-marking him and Depay tries to turn to his left, and claims he’s fouled. The referee, Taylor, demonstratively waves the penalty claim away. Muscular defending by Saliba.

6 min: Simons does well on the Dutch left wing to nab possession and race down the wing into the France half. But he’s dispossessed efficiently by Upamecano. France have settled into the game after a big early scare with that chance for Frimpong.