Ex Chelsea Star Wins Consecutive MOTM Awards for France at Euro 2024

• France and Netherlands played out a goalless draw in their second group game at the 2024 European Championship
• The two teams are tied at the top of Group D, having won their opening matches against Austria and Poland
• Former Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante was named the player of the match for the second consecutive game

N’Golo Kante shone yet again despite France and the Netherlands playing a goalless draw in their second group game at the 2024 European Championship.

France were without captain Kylian Mbappe, who suffered a broken nose during the first match against Austria. He was on the bench despite having a custom-made mask.

According to The Athletic, the Dutch had the ball in the back of the net through Xavi Simons, but it was disallowed by English official Anthony Taylor after Denzel Dumfries, who was in an offside position, blocked Mike Maignan’s line of sight.

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Kante wins consecutive Euro 2024 MOTM

Kante was named to start for the second consecutive match, and he did not let Didier Deschamps down by bossing the midfield yet again despite having a new partner.

According to UEFA technical observers, the 33-year-old was named the official man of the match, becoming the first player to win the award twice at the ongoing tournament.

The former Leicester City star was involved in both ends of the pitch, contributing to four defensive actions, while creating a big chance and making three key passes.

The tireless midfielder last played for France at a major tournament at Euro 2021, where they were eliminated by Switzerland in the quarter-final. He missed the 2022 World Cup due to injury.

His inclusion in the 25-man squad for this tournament came as a surprise as he was plying his trade in the Saudi Pro League with Al-Ittihad after leaving Chelsea last summer.

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Why Xavi Simons’ goal was disallowed

Sports Brief analysed why Xavi Simons’ goal was disallowed during the goalless draw between France and the Netherlands at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig.

The youngster rifled home a powerful shot in the 73rd minute and appeared to have given the Dutch the lead, but it was disallowed by English official Anthony Taylor.