France captain Kylian Mbappe bagged two goals and an assist to inspire Les Bleus to a comfortable 4-0 victory over the Netherlands in their Euro 2024 qualifier in Paris.
Hugo Lloris’s job as captain of France has been taken over by Mbappe, and the new era got off to a great start when the Paris Saint-Germain star set up Antoine Griezmann’s goal in the first minute.
Dayot Upamecano scored the second goal with a header in the eighth minute, and Mbappe added a goal to make it 3-0 before the middle of the first half.
Mbappe finished the game with a strong goal with two minutes left. Memphis Depay’s penalty kick for the Netherlands in stoppage time was saved by goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
Didier Deschamps’ team showed ruthless efficiency against a Dutch team that was missing several key players because of a virus.
At least their toughest qualifying Group B game is over, and their next game is on Monday at home against Gibraltar.
The French will play the Republic of Ireland next, but it would take a lot for them not to qualify for the Euro next year, since the top two teams in each group advance.
“We didn’t want to disappoint our fans. This was our first game back here after the World Cup and we really wanted to pick up where we left off there, except for the final,” Mbappe told broadcaster TF1.
Of his own game, Mbappe added: “I try to do my job, be decisive and bring everyone else with me. It worked well today but this is just the beginning so let’s not get carried away.”
Dutch coach Ronald Koeman blamed the loss on the virus that spread through his team.
“You know the circumstances, but I don’t want to make excuses for this mediocre performance,” he said. “There is nothing very positive to take from today.”
France’s team was different from the World Cup final in four ways: goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and center back Raphael Varane retired and were honoured on the Stade de France pitch before the game, Ousmane Dembele was injured, and Olivier Giroud started on the bench.
Maignan came in for AC Milan in goal, and Ibrahima Konate came in for Liverpool in the middle of the defense. Kingsley Coman and Randal Kolo Muani also got their first starts.
The Netherlands were without Cody Gakpo, Matthijs de Ligt, Sven Botman, Denzel Dumfries, and Frenkie de Jong for different reasons. Koeman was back in charge for a second time.
Photo by EPA/MOHAMMED BADRA
