The France team was already almost certain to play the round of 16 despite, or thanks depending on the point of view, at the point taken against Hungary (1-1) on Saturday. It's now official this Monday. With four points, the Blues have already ensured the minimum subsistence level before facing Portugal on Wednesday in Budapest (9:00 p.m.). A total which guarantees them to finish among the four best third. At a minimum. Obviously the men of Didier Deschamps will try to finish much higher against the band of Cristiano Ronaldo to afford a knockout table more favorable than finishing on the second or third step of Group F. However, the scores of Monday take some pressure off them and should allow them to play more liberated, with more positive than negative pressure.
To arrive at such a scenario this Monday evening, there first had to be a winner between Austria and Ukraine, which was done in favor of the first (1-0) thanks to a goal from Baumgartner (21st). With this success, Austria guaranteed their place in the round of 16 while Ukraine remained blocked at three points, so in the waiting room to the dismay of their coach, Andriy Shevchenko: "
It was a match without.
It was physically hard, we were late everywhere on the pitch, we weren't even in the match, it's not the level of football that we want to show (...) What to do while waiting to know if we are among the best third?
I have no idea, I do not know what awaits us, we will have to wait until the last matches.
But if we have a chance, we'll have to be ready.
"
Russia and Finland lose, the Blues smile
Group C settled, remained the case of Group B, more complex since it required either a defeat of Finland against Belgium, or a setback of Russia against Denmark. Finally, Antoine Griezmann and others had the right ... to both. Long resistant, Finland, who had beaten France in November 2020 (0-2), ended up breaking against the Red Devils, winners and first (2-0). A sufficient result to ensure the qualification of the 2018 world champions but at the same time, the Danes saved their skin by outclassing Russia (4-1).
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