France 1-1 Poland and Netherlands 2-3 Austria - Euro 2024 RECAP: Austrians finish TOP of Group D

Right then, I better be off!

What a dramatic evening it was in Group D, the top three changed several times throughout the evening.

But in the end, Austria have defied all the odds to top the group and qualify for the knockout stages.

They had to work hard for it, but in the end, they toppled the Netherlands, who have fallen down to third, but still progress.

That means France finish second, and their hunt for a group stage finale win goes on.

Anyway, I better shoot. It's been a pleasure!

You know what time it is...

Yes, it's nearly time for England to step out onto the turf in Cologne, and the team news is already out.

Gareth Southgate has just made one change, Conor Gallagher is in for Trent Alexander-Arnold.

My colleague, Ben Willcocks, is on duty tonight, so go over and check his live blog!

Click below:

Cold, Marcel, cold!

To score a Marco van Basten-esque goal against the Netherlands to beat them, well, it's pretty damn cool.

Sabitzer could not have hit it more sweetly even if he tried.

Danny Murphy, former England international, speaking on BBC Two:

I didn't expect that at all. Austria are a well balanced team with a good work ethic and well coached - a pleasure to watch.

They are going to cause someone problems whoever they face in the knockouts.

Nobody could have predicted this!

With their dramatic win over the Netherlands, and France dropping points, Austria have finished top of Group D.

What a job Ralf Rangnick is doing over there, he has transformed this side into a gegenpressing machine.

They are the definition of dark horses.

France have to settle for second place...

Well then, the return of Kylian Mbappe is not enough for France and they drop points yet again.

They thought they had done enough when Kylian Mbappe netted from the spot 11 minutes after the break.

And then the chaos started.

Robert Lewandowski saw a penalty saved by Mike Maignan, but then was allowed to re-take the kick.

He didn't mess up the second time, and the points are shared.

Group D, it's been a pleasure.

AUSTRIA HAVE DONE IT!

Arguably the game of the tournament has come to an end in Berlin, and it's Austria who come out on top.

I didn't want that to end, I really didn't. Twice the Austrians were pegged back, but they still found a way.

As it stands they are qualifying out of Group D as winners... WOW!

It's all hands to the pump for the Netherlands.

Corner, corner, free-kick. That is the sequence of what has just happened, but they all came to nothing.

Time is nearly up...

France are starting to push more now, they have shaken off the worry.

The board goes up and there will be five minutes of added time for them to find a winner.

Or will Poland?

Netherlands have six minutes to muster something here.

They have done it twice already, now they need to do it a third.

This match has finally calmed down a bit, as have I - what a mad few minutes.

This is not what the Dutch want, though, they need to press for an equaliser.

They don't look like getting it, though.

Poand suddenly mean business.

France have not recovered from that penalty drama, they need to get their heads back on straight.

They have to just go for it now.

Oh my word, this game just keeps getting crazier.

Austria think they have a fourth as Christoph Baumgartner fires in brilliantly from a tight angle.

But the flag is up instantly, and it's the right decision.

This game is simply sensational.

Marcel Sabitzer has just scored one of the goals of the tournament to fire Austria in front yet again.

Christoph Baumgartner fins his captain with a lovely ball and Sabitzers smashes the ball into the roof of the net on the volley.

The drama is just non-stop.

Robert Lewandowski makes no mistake this time.

He picks the very same corner and it hits the post and then the back of the net.

We have a game all of a sudden.

What drama in Dortmund, the penalty is going to be retaken.

Mike Maignan came off his line, and Robert Lewandowski spotted it straight away.

The referee agrees with the Pole and he will get a second bite at the cherry.

Robert Lewandowski stutters, and... he's missed it!

Milke Miagnan goes down to his right and palms the ball away, what a save.

But wait... it's going to be re-taken, is it?

The referee goes to the monitor, and the goal is given!

It's a delightful finish by Memphis Depay. The ball drops to him and he volleys into the top right corner.

Game on in Berlin!

Dayot Upamecano, what are you doing?

Karol Swiderski skips past him and is taken down, but initially, the referee waves it away.

But after a check, VAR gives the spot-kick.

Memphis Depay has the ball in the net, he is celebrating, but the referee says no.

I'm at odds as to why this has been ruled out, and it seems so is VAR, they are checking...

Was that Robert Lewandowski's big moment?

The ball comes out to him on the edge of the area and he fires a powerful half-volley towards the bottom left corner.

The ball whistles just past the post, it is inches, literally inches, away.

Simons, your name is Xavi, not Xabi!

The Dutch midfielder tries to score from just inside his own half as the keeper's clearance is poor.

But his effort is even worse than the clearance.

Ronald Koeman will not be happy with how his team have responded to going behind.

The goal has just knocked the stuffing out of the Netherlands. Before it, they were the better team this half.

Wout Weghorst and Gini Wijnaldum are now on to see if they can make an impact.

Will they?

Ousmane Dembele, that is absolutely filthy.

He turns Poland midfielders inside and out, barely breaking a sweat in his own half, before firing a beautiful through ball pass for Kylian Mbappe.

It was well-measured, but Lukasz Skorupski rushes out to clear it.

Invite me next time, Eduardo!

Eduardo Camavinga just made me chuckle as he trips over himself in acres of space.

I know it's mean, but things like that are just funny.

As things stand France will finish the group stage top, while Austria will qualify in second.

But the French don't want to rest on their laurels here, and Ousmane Dembele fires wide from a tight angle.

Will the floodgates open now?

Austria re-take the lead!

Out of nowhere, Romano Schmid heads past Bart Verburggen via a deflection.

Austria have been on the back foot all half, but one attack is all it takes. It's sloppy defending from the Dutch.

Back into second Austria go!

The masked winger sends Lukasz Skorupski the wrong way!

Kylian Mbappe is as cool as you like form the spot to score his first-ever European Championship goal.

It was never in doubt, right?

France have a penalty!

It's as clear as they come. Jakub Kiwior is beaten for pace by Ousmane Dembele and he hacks him down just inside the area.

Kylian Mbappe is standing over it...

The Netherlands are all over Austria now, like a rash.

Virgil van Dijk meets a corner brilliantly, and the ball looks like it's heading for goal, but the smallest of deflections diverts it away.

The second goal feels like it's coming, it really does.

The Dutch fans are bouncing!

Guess who is making saves again. Yes, Lukasz Skorupski.

He is called into action straight after the break, twice. First, he beats away a cross from Ousmane Dembele.

The ball ends up at the feet of Kylian Mbappe, he looks to curl it into the top corner, but Skorupski gets to it at full stretch.

What a start to the second half for the Netherlands!

It's taken them 75 seconds after the break to draw level, and it's a fabulous counter-attack.

Xavi Simons gets the break going, drives toward the area, and spots Cody Gakpo to his left.

The winger gets the ball, cuts inside, and curls the ball home.

They are back in business.

No changes at half time from either team.

And we are back underway in Dortmund, will we see any goals in this half?

I hope so!

The ball is rolling again in Berlin.

What Netherlands side will we see in this half, surely they will be better than in the first period.

It's a big half for Austria!

A moment to forget for Donyell Malen.

If only he had this scoring streak in him at the right end too, then it would be 1-1.

I must admit, it is one of the strangest own goals that I have ever come across.

Watch and see for yourself.

Ian Herbert, Mail Sport, in Dortmund:

France dominant and Mbappe’s pace is the key factor but they’ve not created major chances. Some nice, precise interplay, with Mbappe’s teammates working the angles to send him through but he’s ended up with impossibly tight finishes. It’ like trying to score in a cupboard.

The best chance was a free header for Robert Lewandowski at the other end but he flunked it. The second half will be a test of whether France can capitalise on their counter-attack and seize the initiative here.

Danny Murphy, former England international, speaking on BBC Two:

Austria have been the better team they have surprised me in their quality and confidence.

Austria have been hungry, but Netherlands have had their moments through Memphis Depay. There was the one chance from Donyell Malen, but there was no conviction.

The scoreline does not tell the whole story.

It may be 0-0, but there have been some big chances in this match, and not just for France.

Poland are going toe-to-toe with the French, but will be thanking their goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski, he has made some big saves.

I can't see this one ending in a stalemate.

The whistle is blown for the break in Berlin.

Austria are reigning supreme at the Olympiastadion yet again, and it's fully deserved.

The fast-starters netted inside six minutes thanks to an own goal from Donyell Malen, and nobody was surprised in the slightest.

The Netherlands have been extremely poor, lacklustre at best.

What a match Lukasz Skorupski is having!

He comes to the rescue for Poland again, this time denying Kylian Mbappe from a very tight angle.

Wojciech Szczesny, your position might just be under threat. Poland have a star keeper on their hands.

So, so close from Memphis Deapay. So close that I thought he had scored.

Cody Gakpo drifts in beyond the Austria defence and clips in a ball for Memphis Depay at the back post.

the ball is just a little too high for Depay who sends a dipping header towards goal at full stretch, and it hits the foot of the post.

It wouldn't have counted even if the ball went in, Gakpo was offside.

Ian Herbert, Mail Sport, in Dortmund:

We’re yet to see a really ruthless streak in the French, with or without Mbappe, at this tournament. He’s in a central role this afternoon, not the left-sided position he took up against Austria last week in Dusseldorf, but it’s been huff and puff from the French so far, despite their dangerous capacity to counter-attack.

Poor final passes from Ngolo Kante on two occasions have prevented chances opening up and Bradley Barcola, on his left, has lacked a finish.

How has Marko Arnautovic not scored there?

Bart Verburggen makes several saves before the ball bounces into the path of Arnautovic.

he is in miles of space, six yards out, and just needs to slide the ball home, but he completely miskicks the ball.

Verbruggen then recovers to keep the Netherlands in the game.

Well, I was wrong about who is coming off.

Joey Veerman's head drops instantly as he finds out he is being hooked after just 34 minutes.

Xavi Simons replaces him, and you'd assume there will now be a change of system.

Massive chance for Robert Lewandowski to give Poland the lead, but he can't take it.

Piotr sends a delightful ball into the box and Lewandowski gets in front of Dayot Upamecano to get his head to the ball.

He heads it into the ground and it bounces just wide.

He is screaming for a corner, and he should actually be getting one. the ball bounced off William Saliba's foot and out.

Ronald Koeman looks like he has already seen enough.

Xavi Simons is getting readied on the sidelines to come on, who is going to make way I wonder?

My guess would be Donyell Malen, it's just not been his day.

Smart keeping there from Mike Maignan.

Robert Lewandowski screams for the ball and drifts beyond the backline.

The ball is sent into his apathy, but Maignan reads it, rushes out, and collects the ball from his toes.

We have a drinks break in Dortmund.

That's how hot it is in Germany right now, it truly is blistering heat, so I think a drinks break is deserved.

As long as they have their suncream on - don't want to burn...

The cameras have just picked up Antoine Griezmann looking longingly into the distance from the bench.

H will be feeling that he can make an impact if given the chance later. This game looks tailor-made for him.

Oh, Donyell Malen, you have to do better!

The winger is through on goal, it's his chance to make up for the earlier own goal.

But he fluffs his lines!

I can't believe it. malen gets it all wrong and scuffs his shot miles wide while one-on-one.

A sitter...

Ian Herbert, Mail Sport, in Dortmund:

Robert Lewandowski, finally selected to start a game now the Poles are eliminated, starts with some theatrics- going down like a bag of cement after the French keeper Mike Maignan barges past as he tries to block the stopper.

The Pole was booked after a few minutes of arriving in the Austria game for throwing an elbowing.  An inconspicuous start to his last international tournament

Austria fans are oleing every pass their team makes, that's how this match is going...

It's rather embarrassing if you are Dutch, but I must admit it may be too soon to get cocky, Austria!

Lukasz Skorupski denies French an opener yet again, this time Ousmane Dembele.

Ngolo Kante drives at the Polish defence and slides the ball through to Deemble on the right-hand side of the area.

I'm just expecting the net to bulge as Dembele prepares to pull the trigger, but Skorupski does really well.

Poland are looking nimble today, we haven't seen much of this from them this tournament.

Jakub Moder's eyes light up after a period of pressure, he is 35 yards out, surely he isn't going to go for it?

He does, and unsurprisingly it goes miles over. That one is destined for the moon.

That's much better from the Netherlands!

Memphis Depay makes a brilliant run, the ball then is sprayed to Cody Gakpo on the left.

The Liverpool man pings a lovely ball over to Tijjani Reijnders, but his effort is poor.

He just didn't get a hold of it.

France are starting to ramp up the pressure!

Kylian Mbappe comes inches away from turning home inside the six-yard box, and the ball goes all the way through to Theo Hernandez.

The full-back decides to have a crack from a tight angle, but Lukasz Skorupski does well to save with his feet.

As it stands Austria are now top of Group D.

With France currently drawing against Poland they are second, while the Netherlands drop to third.

It's still early days, though.

They've gone and done it again!

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear, what a calamity for the Netherlands.

Austria have started miles better than the Dutch, and they get a helping hand to take the lead.

Donyell Malen is the unlucky man to put the ball into his own net, and in truth, it's quite impressive how he does it.

The ball is fired low into the area and he slides the ball home from 12 yards out.

It really is smoky in there, the flares lit before the math by the Polish fans have not yet cleared.

Luckily, the clouded atmosphere has not blocked out much action because there has not been much, so far.

Nearly a storming start by the Austrians!

The ball is fired across the area, it causes chaos in the Dutch area, but it can't be turned home.

Remember, they love a fast start!

Kylian Mbappe IS the masked winger.

The ball is rolling, the mask is on, and Group D's finale is now underway in Dortmund.

Can the France captain return with a bang?

And we are underway in Berlin.

It really is a sea of colour at the Olympiastadion, a true sigfht to behold.

Can Austria get one over on the Dutch?

What a national anthem, I truly do love it.

Kylian Mbappe is maskless when tasked to sing it, as you'd maybe expect, but will he become the masked winger when play gets underway.

You'd expect so, he switched between wearing it and not during the warm-up.

Ian Herbert, Mail Sport, in Dortmund:

France would have preferred not to start with Kylian Mbappe and the fact he plays with his mask on here demonstrates his team’s need to score to qualify top of the group.

The permutations are complex but if both France and the Netherlands win, France need to score more goals than the Dutch. Mbappe is beaming in the tunnel, discussing his nose with Polish keeper Lukasz Skorupski.

Is it just me or does Memphis Depay not look up for this...

Scrolling through all the photos coming in, he looks like what I used to as I walked through the doors at School as a kid.

Come on Memphis, there is a game to be played!

This is exactly how I am looking, right now.

This is the period of the match where I am so excited for things to get going, that I just want time to move quicker.

Both teams have gone through the motions of their warm-ups, and kick-off is ending closer.

Nearly there!

No, they aren't playing. Although, that would be funny, right?

Years ago, Wesley Sneijder and Ron Vlaar were out on the pitch competing for international silverware, but these days they are enjoying watching it from the stands.

I hope they have put suncream on though, just look at that blistering heat.

I guess they will be in the shade once in hospitality.

Maybe tonight won't actually be straightforward.

When I first read the stat I am about to share, I was stunned.

France haven’t won their final group stage match in any of the last eight major tournaments, losing four of them.

This record stretches all the way back to 2006.

Can they break this stat today? The expectation is that they will.

Kylian Mbappe is warming up, but there is no mask to be seen.

Was the Polish one really that bad?

In all seriousness, this surprises me. Does this signify that he won't wear one for the match?

You'd expect him to want to get used to it if he is...

Wow, just wow...

Look at all that colour, it's simply incredible. Both Netherlands and Austria fans are lighting up Berlin.

The atmosphere inside the Olympiastadion is incredible, that's the only way I can describe it.

I would say it's bubbling up, but I think we have reached boiling point already.

If he wears this mask, I am going to be creasing, I won't be able to type!

It's been a running gaga for a long time that Kylian Mbappe looks like a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle - make of that what you will.

Well, since breaking his nose against Austria on matchday one, he now has to wear a mask.

Poland have one ready for him it seems...

The Netherlands fans are at it again!

In my opinion, they have been the supporters of the tournament, so far. Everywhere they go they turn, they turn the city orange.

One of their signature moves at the moment is this sideways bounce to make atmosphere...

It gets me dancing along every single time.

.

Riath Al-Samarrai, Mail Sport, in Berlin:

Depay starts for the Netherlands, which is mildly interesting on the basis that he dominated at least half of Ronald Koeman’s press conference yesterday.

His form here hasn’t been terribly impressive and his place in the team was the subject of some debate. But Koeman was adamant he was sticking with the former Manchester United forward and he’s been good to his word.

It could be an emotional occasion for one player on the pitch today.

Footballers can’t keep going at the top level forever, and I feel today could be the last time we see Robert Lewandowski at a major international tournament.

One of the greats of the game, it hasn’t always gone his way while adorning the colours of his country.

But no matter what, he has delivered on a regular basis for Poland.

After not starting the opening to fixtures of their Euro 2024 campaign due to injury, Lewandowski does get the nod today here in Dortmund.

Is this the last time we see him grace the pitch at a European Championship?

Wow, no Christoph Baumgartner for Austria...

The forward was the star of the show in their 3-1 win over Poland, netting a brilliant goal, but he does not start here.

Patrick Wimmer comes in, though, as one of four changes.

Ronald Koeman has made three changes to the side that drew with France.

Lutsharel Geertruida, Joey Veerman and Donyell Marlen all come into the side.

Meanwhile, some what surprisingly, Xavi Simons drops to the bench...

Robert Lewandowski is back.

The Bar celona forward missed the first game through injury, before coming off the bench against Austria.

And now he is back in from the start, could it be his final match at a major tournament?

The masked man returns!

It's fair to say that Didier Deschamps is not holding back, he wants top spot. He has arguably named France's strongest possible side.

After breaking his nose in their opening match with Austria, and being left on the bench against the Netherlands, Mbappe takes his place back in the starting 11.

Bradley Barcola also comes in with Antoine Griezmann making way.

Here they come!

the Frech have arrived at Signal Iduna Park ahead of their final group game this tournament.

Kylian Mbappe has been spotted exiting the bus, but will he start today?

We will find out very soon...

Now this match seems a little more straightforward to predict.

France will feel they should have come away from their match against the Netherlands with all three points, they were the better side.

But they didn’t…

They can still claim top spot if they beat Poland today, and on paper, it’s hard to see that not happening.

Poland have just never gotten going in this tournament. Yes, they have had their moments against both the Dutch and Austria, but ultimately they came unstuck.

Already eliminated, they have nothing to play for.

If I had to choose solely one match to watch from this group, it would be the Netherlands vs Austria.

It’s such a close match-up, isn’t it?

When the Netherlands click, they are a joy to watch. Xavi Simons, Cody Gakpo, and Memphis Depay can cause major damage going forward.

Austria are no slouch, though. Under Ralf Rangnick they have been absolutely superb.

Their gegenpressing style, coupled with their desire to win, make their matches thoroughly enjoyable to watch.

They love an early goal too, so watch out for that.

A place in the last 16, of course!

Well, that’s only for Austria, really.

If they beat the Netherlands today they are guaranteed a top-two finish, if they draw, they are likely to also qualify.

But if they lose, they will have to sweat on other results…

Meanwhile, the Dutch just have to better France’s result to claim the number one position in the group.

Poland, well, they are already out. They will just play for pride, I guess…

We have a nice couple of appetisers this evening before we get onto the main course.

After two days straight of just two 8pm kick-offs, we are being treated to an extra couple, and boy are they good games.

Both France and the Netherlands are already through to the knockout stage, but there is still a matter of top spot to decide in Group D.

In the battle to claim it, the French face Poland, while the Netherlands face Austria.

Do no sleep on the Austrians, they could still qualify and finish top of the group if results go their way today, and of course, if they win.

So, before you get yourselves amped up for England’s date with Slovenia this evening, why not follow the 5pm matches with me.,

You know you want to…