Kylian Mbappe double assures France of a place at Euro 2024
LONDON - Kylian Mbappe scored twice, including a stunning strike from just outside the box, as France beat the Netherlands 2-0 in Amsterdam to secure Euro 2024 qualification, reported PA Media/dpa.
After putting Les Bleus ahead with a seventh-minute finish, Mbappe added a breathtaking second eight minutes into the second half, exchanging passes with Adrien Rabiot and sending a curling shot over Bart Verbruggen and into the top corner.
Quilindschy Hartman reduced the deficit with seven minutes of normal time remaining.
The result extended France's perfect record in Group B to a sixth victory as they rubber-stamped their place in next summer's finals in Germany with two fixtures to spare.
Their opponents dropped from second to third, replaced by Greece - who won 2-0 against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin.
Georgios Giakoumakis and Georgios Masouras scored in the first half as Ireland's chances of automatic qualification officially came to an end.
Greece are now three points clear of the Netherlands, who have a game in hand.
In Group F, Belgium sealed progress to the finals with a 3-2 win away against second-placed Austria.
The visitors appeared to be cruising after Dodi Lukebakio's double and a Romelu Lukaku effort had them three goals up before the hour mark.
Things then became less comfortable as Konrad Laimer pulled a goal back in the 72nd minute, Belgium were reduced to 10 men by a red card for Amadou Onana six minutes later, and Marcel Sabitzer scored an 84th-minute penalty - but Domenico Tedesco's side managed to see out the win.
Meanwhile, Azerbaijan registered their first win in the group as they beat Estonia 2-0 in Tallinn.
Portugal also completed the job of qualification via a 3-2 victory as they defeated Slovakia in Porto, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring twice.
Goncalo Ramos and a Ronaldo penalty had the hosts two goals up at half-time, and after David Hancko's reply, Ronaldo made it 3-1 in the 72nd minute with his 125th international goal.
Stanislav Lobotka netted a second for Slovakia, who are second behind Portugal in Group J.
Friday's other matches in the pool saw Iceland and Luxembourg draw 1-1 in Reykjavik and Bosnia and Herzegovina win 2-0 in Liechtenstein. - BERNAMA-PA MEDIA/dpa
