Why Xavi Simons Goal Was Disallowed During Netherlands vs France

• France and the Netherlands settled for a goalless draw in their Euro 2024 second group match
• The Dutch scored through Xavi Simons in the second half, but Anthony Taylor disallowed the goal
• The French team wasted a plethora of chances that could have earned them all three points

The Netherlands had the ball in the back of the net and thought they had won it against France during their 2024 European Championship Group D second match.

France were toothless in front of the goal in the absence of captain Kylian Mbappe, who had suffered a broken nose in the match against Austria and could only make the bench.

The two teams are joint top of Group D with four points each, but the Dutch are placed first because they have scored more goals in their first game than France.

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Why Simons’ goal was disallowed

One of European football’s most sought-after youngsters, Xavi Simons, scored a rifle of a shot in the 73rd minute, but English referee Anthony Taylor disallowed it after consultation with the video assistant referee.

According to The Athletic, the goal was ruled out because Inter Milan defender Denzel Dumfries was in French goalkeeper Mike Maignan’s line of sight.

According to football rules governing body IFAB, a player is adjudged to be interfering with play if:

• preventing an opponent from being able to play the ball by clearly obstructing the opponent’s line of vision
• challenging an opponent for the ball
• clearly attempting to play a ball which is close when this action impacts on an opponent
• making an obvious action which clearly impacts on the ability of an opponent to play the ball

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The Dutch will feel cheated, but the decision was correct and has nothing to do with Taylor’s controversial nature. Simons was brutally substituted by Ronald Koeman immediately after.

N’Golo Kante wins consecutive MOTM awards

Sports Brief reported on France star N’Golo Kante winning the MOTM during their goalless draw against the Netherlands in their second group D game.

The former Chelsea star was also named the player of the match in the opening match against Austria, becoming the first player to win it twice at the tournament.