France 4-0 Netherlands: Kylian Mbappe leads Les Bleus to easy win in first match of Euro 2024 qualifying

A three-goal blitz in the opening 21-minutes saw France blow Netherlands away as they got their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign underway with a 4-0 victory. Playing their first game since losing the World Cup final on penalties to Argentina, Didier Deschamps’ side were in stunning form, as Antoine Griezmann and new captain Kylian Mbappe were both on the scoresheet.

Ad Les Bleus could barely have made a better start, finding the back of the net after less than two minutes as Griezmann fired into the bottom corner from Mbappe’s pass. That lead was doubled shortly afterwards as the Atletico Madrid star turned provider, whipping in a free-kick for Dayot Upamecano to squeeze home World CupMbappe slams team, Deschamps slams table — Inside France's dressing room during WC final21/12/2022 AT 17:04 Mbappe added a third on 21 minutes, stroking into the bottom corner after Randal Kolo Muani had dummied Aurelien Tchouameni’s through ball, and he arguably should have grabbed another on the half hour mark when hooking Jules Kounde’s cross over the bar.

The Dutch were on the ropes to such an extent that Ronald Koeman was forced into a first-half sub, replacing debutant Kenneth Taylor with Wout Weghorst, and the change of shape at least gave them more defensive solidity. However, there was to be no way back into the game for the visitors, who created very little going forward, apart from a Memphis Depay free-kick which was saved by Mike Maignan.

At the other end, Mbappe was denied by Jasper Cillessen with a shot from inside the box that was too close to the ‘keeper, while Moussa Diaby had a goal ruled out for offside. The fourth finally came with two minutes left, and it was no surprise that Mbappe got it, thumping into the far corner