Euro 2024 Group D Match Day 3 Roars: France vs Poland & Netherlands vs Austria

Four strong teams with formidable histories, including two previous championship teams, will play their final decisive matches on Euro 2024 Group D Match Day 3. France will unleash itself on Poland, and the Netherlands and Austria will grapple to secure a spot in the next stages. 

Which championship team will crush their opponents? Both? Or neither? The answer might be a surprise. Step into Euro 2024 Group D Match Day 3 with the help of our insights and analysis of both matches! Also, read our analysis for Group C and Group D.

Euro 2024 Group D: Introduction

France, winners of the trophy in 1984 and 2000, suffered a crushing defeat to Portugal in the final game 2016. In 2020, although finishing first in their group, they got knocked out in Group of 16. They will be playing fiercely for the chance to have a potential rematch with Portugal and reclaim their former glory.

Poland is a highly capable team that is not shy about proving its worth. This will be their fifth appearance in the UEFA Euro competition, the last time in 2020, although they have never made it past the quarter-finals. 

The Netherlands national team are the other championship winners in Group D. They took the trophy home in 1988. The Netherlands and France have competed eleven times in the UEFA Euro championship. 

Austria will be competing for the fourth time. 2020 was their best showing yet, making it all the way to Group of 16! But they still have some catching up to do, and it will be a struggle to overcome a team with the experience of the Netherlands. 

For more insight, take a look at our in-depth breakdown of each match. 

France vs Poland

France has remained unbeaten in its last eight matches against Poland. It is expected to dominate this match easily. 

For Poland, reaching the knockout stage and winning an opportunity for advancement are crucial if they are to surpass their best showing. The outcome of this match doesn’t weigh as heavily as their overall finish within the group.

Didier Deschamps, manager of the France national team, mostly uses a 4-2-3-1 formation to link defense, midfield, and attack. He occasionally switches to a 4-4-2, but only when he misses crucial players for the 4-2-3-1.

Versatile players will anchor the midfield, led by France’s all-time record goal scorer. 

Poland will fan out its most talented players, who will have to put their very best foot forward. So far, their qualifications and performance have not boded well. In addition, historically, Poland has only won two out of fourteen of its UEFA Euro matches in its four previous qualifications.

Head Coach Michai Probierz is expected to keep the course, playing a three-back or five-back formation. 

Netherlands vs Austria

The Netherlands national team is considered a dark horse to steal the trophy this year. On many lists, Austria is tipped just slightly ahead of the Netherlands to go all the way. Austria’s record and power should not be left out of the equation when evaluating this match. 

The Netherlands team is coming off a string of wins. In all eight of their previous meetings, the Netherlands has beaten Austria. Confidence is high. Many expect the unbeaten streak to get extended.

Head Coach Ronald Koeman will try to accomplish this by reverting back to a 4-3-3 formation. Lucky for him, the team is bursting with exciting, outstanding players, some of whom are recalling their most brilliant periods. 

Austria brings its own pedigree to Berlin, where the two teams will face each other. It was a rough start with Head Coach Ralf Rangnick, but the team has found some footing. A 4-4-2 formation is the popular choice of Rangnick as long as the players are there to execute it. 

Unraveling The Underdogs

Poland has only gone so far as the quarter-finals. They are challenging a two-time winning team. These two facts launch Poland firmly into underdog territory.

Is there a chance Poland could win this match? There’s always a possibility, but it’s a long shot. The game could be close, as it often has in the past. However, Poland has lost every game in the end in the past.

At the very least, it will be a fun game to watch!

The Netherlands and Austria are the more evenly matched, with both teams almost equally tipped to advance farthest, if not win the trophy. However, the Netherlands is honored to be a one-time champ versus Austria’s only ever-reaching Group of 16. This puts Austria in the underdog position. 

Austria displayed great audacity in its qualifying bid and could have shown more. Thanks to that boldness and qualifying performance, fans have a renewed belief in head coach Rangnick.

Expect the Netherlands vs. Austria match to be rife with suspense! 

Key Players To Watch

Poland will put its best players up front. These players include Jakub Piotrowski, Nicola Zalewski, and Pawel Dawidowicz. Jakub Piotrowski is a midfielder who usually plays center. He likes to tackle and can take fouls as well as give them! Pawel Dawidowicz will likely cover the center-back position with Nicola Zalewski on the left. 

France, natch, has a diverse slate of players at the ready. Some key players will be Adrien Rabiot, Kingsley Coman, and Oliver Giroud. Rabiot can effortlessly navigate between defensive midfield center or midfield left. His strengths include tackling and aerial duels. 

Coman will play as a left or right midfielder or forward. His strengths include passing, dribbling, finishing, holding onto the ball, and long shots. Giroud will be upfront and able to extend his all-time leading goal-scorer record. 

Austria’s players include Alexander Schlager, Nicolas Seiwald, and Florian Grillitsch. Schlager is the team’s go-to goalkeeper. Seiwald is a defensive midfielder who likes to play long balls. His strength is tackling. Florian Grillitsch plays as both a defender and a midfielder.  

Keep your eyes on Wout Weghorst. He is the Netherlands national team’s striker. Backing him up are Stefan de Vrij and Frenkie de Jong. Stefan de Vrij is a defender whose strength is ball interception. Frenkie De Jong is a defender and defensive midfielder. 

Conclusion: Who’s Going Home? Austria, Netherlands, or Poland?

France is considered a lock to finish first in their group, showing Poland the door in their match. The outcome of the other game is more up in the air.

If France wins as anticipated, they’ll play the runner-up from Group F, which could be the Czech Republic, Portugal, or Turkey. The runner-up of Group D will play the runner-up of Group E, which is a tough race between Belgium, Romania, Slovakia, and Ukraine. The third place might advance to challenge the winner of Group B, C, or E.

One thing’s for sure – every match of Day 3 will be chock full of action!