Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk has mentioned Xavi Simons’ second-half purpose in opposition to France ought to have stood and averted the primary 0-0 draw of Uefa Euro 2024.
Midfielder Simons thought he had put Oranje forward on the Purple Bull Area, the place the 21-year-old performs his membership soccer for RB Leipzig.
Van Dijk protested with referee Anthony Taylor however a prolonged Video Assistant Referee (VAR) test deemed Denzel Dumfries to have been blocking goalkeeper Mike Maignan in an offside place when Simons discovered the web together with his strike.
France v Netherlands: Level ‘a bonus’
“For my part, Xavi Simons’ purpose that was disallowed was a sound purpose,” mentioned Liverpool’s Van Dijk. “However one level is a bonus, we’ve to be that lifelike.
“We’re taking part in in opposition to France, so I don’t suppose it’s unusual that you’ve problem in some section of the match. The preventing spirit we’ve proven may be very optimistic.”
Event favourites France ought to have scored in both half by means of close-range possibilities for Antoine Griezmann, ending on an anticipated targets complete of 1.42 to Oranje’s 0.33.
Either side gained their opening recreation and are on the point of confirming qualification for the knockout stage after a match by which France striker Kylian Mbappe was an unused substitute due to a damaged nostril.
“Now we’re on 4 factors and we proceed in direction of Tuesday in opposition to Austria,” mentioned Van Dijk. “We tried to stay compact on the again and nonetheless harm France on the counter.
“We nearly succeeded a number of occasions however we didn’t play it out effectively. We don’t lose and we nonetheless have all the things in our personal fingers.”
Netherlands 0-0 France
The Netherlands’ defence acquired reward earlier than the finals, whereas 21-year-old Bart Verbruggen utilized the faintest of touches to assist maintain Griezmann’s second main probability out.
Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeeper Verbruggen saved a clear sheet for the primary time at a serious event following the Netherlands’ opening 2-1 comeback win over Poland.
“Bart saved effectively however I feel all of us defended effectively,” mentioned Van Dijk, who will face opponents in Austria buoyed by a 3-1 win over Poland which knocked their opponents out of competition. “That’s the place it in the end begins.”
