France's Mbappe Scores Twice In 4-0 Rout Left Netherlands Humiliated
France kicked off their Euro 2024 Group B qualifying campaign in impressive fashion as they thrashed the Netherlands 4-0 in their first match since losing the World Cup final against Argentina last December. The match took place on Friday and marked the beginning of the Kylian Mbappe era as the newly appointed captain of the French national team led his side to a dominant victory over the virus-hit Dutch team.
France Led By Kylian Mbappe To A Stunning Victory Against The Netherlands!
Mbappe, who was named captain after goalkeeper Hugo Lloris ended his international career in January, lived up to the expectations and scored two goals in the match, including the third goal of the match after Dayot Upamecano had doubled the tally in a first-half blitz. Mbappe had also set up Antoine Griezmann for the opener before wrapping up the scoring late in the match in front of an ecstatic crowd.
With Lloris and also influential centre back Raphael Varane now out of the international picture, France were looking to impress in their first game since losing the World Cup final. The result was a slap in the face for Ronald Koeman, the newly appointed manager of the Dutch team, who was in charge of his first match since taking over from Louis van Gaal. Koeman had previously managed the team from 2018-2020 and had guided the Oranje to the World Cup quarterfinals in Qatar.
The Dutch team, missing five players after the squad was ravaged by a viral infection, got off to a woeful start as Les Bleus broke the deadlock after two minutes, with Griezmann finishing off a superb move with a curled shot from Mbappe's cross inside the area. The visiting defence then made a dog's dinner of Griezmann's free kick, and Upamecano bundled the ball home to double the advantage six minutes later.
Mbappe made it 3-0 after 22 minutes, rolling the ball in from close range in clinical fashion after being played through by Aurelien Tchouameni. The Netherlands briefly threatened on the break, but Memphis Depay's attempt went just wide as Koeman sent striker Wout Weghorst on for midfielder Kenneth Taylor in the 33rd minute.
France came close again when Ibrahima Konate's header was tipped away by Jasper Cillessen nine minutes before the break. The Dutch had an early chance in the second half with a Depay free-kick, but that was as close as they got with Upamecano and Konate marshalling the French central defence.
Randal Kolo Muani, who started as a lone forward in France's 4-3-3 formation, also put in a decent display until he was substituted for Olivier Giroud in the 76th minute. France then took things easy before traveling to Dublin.
The most remarkable moment of the match came from Kylian Mbappe, whose stunning performance as the new captain of France was the talk of the town. He exhibited his trademark skill and finesse as he effortlessly danced his way towards the box before delivering a ferocious cross-shot, which resulted in France's fourth goal and marked his 38th goal in just 67 appearances. Mike Maignan, who has been the first-choice goalkeeper for France ever since Hugo Lloris's retirement, pulled off a fantastic save in stoppage time to deny Memphis Depay from the penalty spot. This left the fans wondering what might have been had Maignan been present in the World Cup final, a tournament which he had to miss due to an injury.
The victory puts France at the top of Group B, ahead of Greece, who beat Gibraltar 3-0 away. Didier Deschamps's side next face Ireland in Dublin on Monday, while the Netherlands will host Gibraltar.
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