Goal-shy France eager to have Mbappe back

France appear almost certain to reach the last 16 at Euro 2024 but they are hoping to have Kylian Mbappe back, and rediscover their goalscoring touch, when they face Poland in their final group game on June 25.

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The favourites coming into the tournament, France have four points from two matches in Group D but have scored only one goal, and that was courtesy of Austrian defender Maximilian Wober putting through his own net.

That gave France a 1-0 win against Austria in their opening match, before they drew 0-0 with the Netherlands in the absence of Mbappe.

The new Real Madrid signing played no part against the Dutch as he recovers from the broken nose suffered in a collision late on against Austria. He will need to wear a protective mask over his nose when he returns to action, but he trained on June 23 at the French team’s base in Paderborn and his teammates are optimistic of having their captain back against the Poles.

“I think everyone knows he is really eager to play in the next match. That won’t surprise anyone,” said midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni.