France missed Kylian Mbappe in a wasteful display against the Netherlands, but putting him on the sidelines following a broken nose may be smart if he returns to help Les Bleus push for Euro 2024.

In five games against the Dutch, Mbappe had scored six goals and was ready to come on with a mask.

He was an unused replacement in the tournament’s inaugural 0-0 stalemate, a disappointing outcome given the two teams’ reputation but one that sent them on four points and almost to the knockout stage.

Antoine Griezmann, 33, replaced Mbappe as captain and attacker.

He missed several chances, twice putting the ball under his feet in front of goal.

France led 58%, completed 614 passes to the Netherlands’ 353, and had 16 more goal attempts. Since the side controls large parts of the game and Mbappe is certain to return, coach Didier Deschamps may not worry about their profligacy.

Whether the forward gets rested for the last group game against Poland is unknown.

Mbappe, 25, will have a thing to prove when he returns to the pitch: he has never scored at a Euros competition and his penalty was saved in a shootout with Switzerland in 2021, which eliminated France in the last 16.

In contrast, he has 12 World Cup goals.

Griezmann missed a header, several shots, and two bundled close-range chances, while Marcus Thuram missed and Olivier Giroud had little influence after coming on in the second half.

France looked lethargic despite controlling possession and appeared lucky to face a Dutch team without a real thrҽat up front to match their Virgil van Dijk-marshalled defense.

Xavi Simons thought he had scored, but Denzel Dumfries was offside adjacent to goalkeeper Mike Maignan, interfering with play. The Netherlands were disappointed.

Sometimes it looked like both sides were content with a draw, believing four points would be enough.

France are the favorites to top Group D and secure a stronger knockout draw than the Dutch, who face Austria.