Euro 2024: Why Robert Lewandowski Was Allowed to Retake Penalty vs France

• Poland exited the Euro 2024 with some dignity after playing out a 1-1 draw against World Cup finalists France
• The two goals from the game were scored from the penalty spot by Kylian Mbappe and Barcelona ace Robert Lewandowski
• Questions have been raised on why Lewandowski was allowed to retake his penalty after his initial effort was saved by the goalkeeper

Sections of football fans were left confused on Tuesday, June 25 2024, after Robert Lewandowski was allowed to retake his penalty after his initial effort was saved during Poland’s Euro 2024 final group game.

The third round of Group D clashes saw Poland play France, while Austria took on the Netherlands in Leipzig.

Les Blues, guaranteed a place in the last 16 thanks to Spain’s win over Albania a day earlier, needed to secure all three points to ensure they finished top of the group.

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Football

As reported by the BBC, a masked Kylian Mbappe gave his nation the lead with his first-ever Euros goal, scoring from the penalty spot in the 56th minute after Ousmane Dembele was brought down in the box.

Didier Deschamps’ side was guilty of taking their foot off the gas, and a lazy challenge by Dayot Upamecano saw Poland given the chance to equalise with a penalty.

Robert Lewandowski’s penalty incident

Barcelona star Lewandowski stepped up to take the spot kick, but his effort was expertly saved by Mike Maignan. The referee, however, controversially ordered a re-take, leaving fans at the BVB Stadion Dortmund confused.

The Polish captain was clinical with his second attempt as he dispatched the penalty at the back of the net in the 79th minute to salvage a draw for his nation.

Why did Lewandowski re-take his penalty?

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Football

As it turns out, the decision to have Lewandowski take his penalty again was due to a little-known football rule.

Checks from the VAR showed that the France goalkeeper had come off his line before Lewandowski made contact with the ball – which is an infringement, according to the official 2024/25 IFAB Laws of the Game.

The law states, "The defending goalkeeper must remain on the goal line, facing the kicker, between the goalposts, until the ball is kicked. The goalkeeper must not behave in a way that unfairly distracts the kicker, e.g. delay the taking of the kick or touch the goalposts, crossbar or goal net."

It continues to describe exactly where the goalkeeper should be positioned in the build-up to a penalty, stating the shot-stopper “must have at least part of one foot touching, in line with, or behind, the goal line."

England’s last 16 opponents

Sports Brief also detailed the teams England could face in the last 16 of the Euro 2024.

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The Three Lions put up another drab performance against Slovenia as the two nations played out a 0-0 draw, which was enough to see Gareth Southgate’s side finish top of Group C.

Since England finished at the top of their group, they will face one of the four best third-placed teams in the last 16. The Netherlands are also a plausible opponent.