Kylian Mbappe scored twice in his first game since being named France captain as the World Cup runners-up began their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with a resounding victory over the Netherlands.
Mbappe, named skipper after goalkeeper Hugo Lloris ended his international career in January, was on target to net France’s third and fourth goals of the 4-0 win in Paris.
He set-up new vice captain Antoine Griezmann for the opener inside three minutes as the duo showed no sign of dissension after Mbappe was handed the armband.
Dayot Upamecano was also on the scoresheet, poking in from Greizmann’s cross early on to make it 2-0 after Dutch goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen flapped at the cross.
Mbappe then made it three before half time as Didier Deschamps side looked to lay down an early marker ahead of next year’s tournament in Germany.
Kylian Mbappe (right) scored in his first game since being named France captain on Friday
The forward scored his side’s third goal before netting the fourth late on in the game
Memphis Depay missed a late penalty for Holland with new France number once Mike Maignan saving the effort
Memphis Depay missed a late penalty to heap on more misery for the visitors and maintain the hosts’ clean sheet.
Upamecano was adjudged to have handballed deep into stoppage time, but new French number one Mike Maignan kept out the effort before also stopping the rebound.
Moussa Diaby was also denied a goal to make it 4-0 with the score at three when his goal as ruled out for offside.
Antoine Griezmann (left) opened the scoring on three minutes after good work from Mbappe
Dayot Upamecano made it two eight minutes in when the visitors failed to deal with a free-kick
Ronald Koeman faced a nightmare start to his second stint as Dutch manager after taking over from Louis van Gaal, but he will have the chance to bounce back when his side face Gibraltar on Monday.
His squad was hit with a virus before the game, with five players being sent home.
Cody Gakpo, Frenkie de Jong and Denzel Dumfries (suspended) were among those absent, while debutant Kenneth Taylor was hooked just after half an hour for Wout Weghorst in a bid from Koeman to get his side more into the game.
France lead Group B ahead of Greece, who beat Gibraltar 3-0 away. Didier Deschamps’s side next face Ireland in Dublin on Monday.
Returning Dutch manager Ronald Koeman got off to the worst possible on Friday evening.
source: dailymail.co.uk
