France begin Mbappe era by thrashing Netherlands 4-0

 France begin Mbappe era by thrashing Netherlands 4-0

France began the Mbappe era with a statement 4-0 victory over the Netherlands in their Euro 2024 Group B qualifying campaign opener on Friday.

 

 

New France captain Kylian Mbappe scored two goals and set up Antoine Griezmann for the opener before Dayot Upamecano doubled the tally during a first-half blitz. Mbappe scored his second and the third for France before wrapping up the scoring late in the game. With Hugo Lloris and Raphael Varane out of the international picture, France aimed to impress in their first game since losing the World Cup final against Argentina in December 2022. The virus-hit Dutch side under newly-appointed manager Ronald Koeman suffered a heavy defeat, in what was his first match since taking over from Louis van Gaal. The result saw France lead Group B ahead of Greece, who beat Gibraltar 3-0 away. The Netherlands host Gibraltar in their next game while France will face Ireland in Dublin on Monday.

Mbappe, who was named captain after Lloris ended his international career in January, said, "We didn't want to concede a goal so everyone is happy. Mike doesn't like to concede goals and for his first time as number one, he got a clean sheet."

France broke the deadlock after two minutes, with Griezmann finishing off a superb move in style with a curled shot from Mbappe's cross inside the area. Upamecano doubled the lead six minutes later, bundling the ball home after the visiting defence made a mess of Griezmann's free-kick. 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 put in a decent display until he was substituted for Olivier Giroud in the 76th minute. France then took things easy before travelling to Dublin, but Mbappe rubbed salt into the Dutch wounds, dancing his way towards the area before unleashing a powerful cross-shot for the fourth goal and 38th in 67 appearances. Mike Maignan, the number one keeper since Lloris's retirement, then saved Depay's stoppage-time penalty, leaving fans wondering what might have been if he had been between the posts in the World Cup final - a tournament he missed through injury.

Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk said, "If you're 2-0 behind after seven minutes, it will of course be a hell of a job." Koeman will have to analyze the match quickly as the team prepares for their next game.