France began their Euro 2024 Group B qualifying campaign with a 4-0 home triumph over the Netherlands, with Kylian Mbappe scoring two goals. Mbappe, who took over as captain after goalie Hugo Lloris retired in January, set up Antoine Griezmann for the opener before scoring the third, after Dayot Upamecano had increased the lead in the first half.
The outcome was a slap in the face for Ronald Koeman, who was in charge of his first encounter since taking over from Louis van Gaal, despite the fact that the Oranje had advanced to the World Cup quarterfinals in Qatar. France leads Group B, followed by Greece, which defeated Gibraltar 3-0 away. On Monday, Didier Deschamps’ team will face Ireland in Dublin, while the Netherlands will host Gibraltar.
After 22 minutes, Mbappe made it 3-0 by rolling in from close range after being passed through by Aurelien Tchouameni. The Netherlands attacked briefly on the break, but Memphis Depay’s shot was just wide. France came near again nine minutes before the interval, when Ibrahima Konate’s header was pushed away by Jasper Cillessen.
With Upamecano and Konate marshalling the French central defense, the Dutch had an early chance in the second half with a Depay free kick, but that was as near as they got. Randal Kolo Muani, who started as a lone forward in France’s 4-3-3 formation, also put up a good performance before being replaced by Olivier Giroud in the 76th minute. Mbappe then rubbed salt in the wounds of the Dutch with a powerful cross-shot for the fourth goal and 38th in 67 appearances.
