Two-time world champions France got their UEFA European Championship (Euro 2024) campaign off to a flying start, as they decimated the Netherlands 4-0 in their opening qualifying fixture played at the Stade de France on Friday night.
The damage was efficiently done within the opening ten minutes of the first half, as Antoine Griezmann and Dayot Upamecano fired Les Blues ahead while new captain Kylian Mbappe marked off his reign as skipper with a goal of his in the 22nd minute as France took a commanding lead into the interval.
The Netherlands did try to contain the damage and tried to resist the pace and prowess of the hosts, which they did with positive outcomes though Les Blues added a fourth through Kylian Mbappe – who got his brace.
There was late drama though as the Netherlands got a penalty after Dayot Upamecano had handled in the area, but Mike Maignan made a great stop to deny Memphis Depay from the spot as Didier Deschamps side comfortably saw off the challenge of the Oranje to seal the win and the points on the night.
Mbappé Overtakes Benzema As Fifth Top Scorer In France
24-year-old Kylian Mbappé passes Karim Benzema to move into fifth all-time in men’s goals for France:
🇫🇷 Olivier Giroud (53)
🇫🇷 Thierry Henry (51)
🇫🇷 Antoine Griezmann (43)
🇫🇷 Michel Platini (41)
🇫🇷 𝐌𝐛𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞́ (38)
