Kylian Mbappe And France Crush Netherlands, Romelu Lukaku Hits Belgium Hat-trick

25.03.2023 - 07:11 sports.ndtv.com

Kylian Mbappe marked his first game as France captain with a brace in a 4-0 demolition of the Netherlands in Euro 2024 qualifying on Friday, while Romelu Lukaku scored a hat-trick as Belgium began a new era with a 3-0 victory in Sweden.

In Paris, France were three goals up before the midway point in the first half of their Group B opener against a Dutch side depleted by a virus.

Mbappe, who has taken over the armband from long-term skipper Hugo Lloris, set up his vice-captain Antoine Griezmann to open the scoring inside two minutes at the Stade de France.

Griezmann, with his hair dyed pink, then set up the second goal in the eighth minute as his free-kick was bundled in from close range by Dayot Upamecano after Dutch goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen failed to clear the danger.

Romelu Lukaku Les Bleus Antoine Griezmann Hugo Lloris Kylian Mbappe Gus Poyet Aurelien Tchouameni Mike Maignan Randal Kolo Muani Sweden France Belgium Netherlands Portugal Ireland Memphis Gibraltar Greece county Jasper

Kylian Mbappe on Thursday complained about Paris Saint-Germain's use of a video of him for their season-ticket advertising campaign, before the club removed the footage. PSG's star striker said he would fight for "individual image rights" after an interview with him was used by the club in a video to promote ticket sales for next season. "At no time was I informed of the content of the interview," Mbappe said on Instagram. "It looked like a basic interview during a club marketing day. I don't agree with this published video.

'History Repeats Itself' As Romelu Lukaku Racially Abused At Juventus

Romelu Lukaku said Wednesday that history was repeating itself in Italian football after the Inter Milan striker was subjected to monkey chants by Juventus fans during the two teams' stormy cup clash. Lukaku scored a stoppage-time penalty which secured Inter a 1-1 draw in Tuesday's first leg of the semi-final between Italy's most widely supported clubs, a game that ended with three players sent off and the two teams at each other's throats.

Romelu Lukaku Snatches Late Draw For Inter In Fiery Cup Clash At Juve

Romelu Lukaku netted a last-gasp leveller in Inter Milan's dramatic 1-1 draw at Juventus on Tuesday which left their Italian Cup semi-final all square after the first leg. Belgium striker Lukaku rolled in from the penalty spot deep in stoppage time to keep both teams level ahead of the second leg in Milan later this month, before then being sent off following his celebrations in front of the home fans.

France captain Kylian Mbappé is leading an exciting new generation

I t seems like only yesterday that Kylian Mbappé was a fresh-faced teenager, his knee slides propelling Monaco to the Ligue 1 title and a place in the Champions League semi-finals. He is now 24, a Paris Saint-Germain player and the captain of France. Is this a new era for Didier Deschamps’ side or is it just a reminder of how quickly time moves as one ages? On the evidence of France’s two wins in the international break – 4-0 over the Netherlands and 1-0 over the Republic of Ireland in Euro 2024 qualifying – the evidence points to the former.

Mbappe, Kane and Ronaldo still the gold standard on the international stage

Hugo Lloris spread his arms wide and raised them up slowly to perform a Viking Clap.

Despite defeat Ireland fired a warning shot fired at group rivals in their quest to qualify

Defiant in defeat, the Republic of Ireland sent out a warning shot to group rivals, the Netherlands, as they battled bravely, but ultimately lost 1-0 to France at the Aviva Stadium.