Kylian Mbappe leads France to a resounding victory in Euro 2024 qualifier against the Netherlands

France’s new captain, Kylian Mbappe, showcased his exceptional skills by scoring two goals in a dominant 4-0 win against the Netherlands in their Group B qualifying match for Euro 2024. Mbappe, who was appointed the captain after Hugo Lloris’s retirement, scored the third and final goals, with Antoine Griezmann and Dayot Upamecano getting the other two in a devastating first-half performance.

The victory is a statement for the World Cup champions, who were looking to bounce back after a disappointing loss to Argentina in December 2023. The Dutch, led by their new manager Ronald Koeman, struggled to contain the French onslaught, especially after losing five players to a viral infection.

Mbappe was delighted with the team’s performance and expressed his satisfaction with the clean sheet. With Lloris and another influential defender, Raphael Varane, out of the international picture, France’s new generation of players proved that they are ready to take on the world.

The victory puts France ahead of Greece in the Group B standings, with their next match against Ireland on Monday. The Netherlands will take on Gibraltar in their next match.

France’s defence, led by the centre-backs Upamecano and Ibrahima Konate, looked rock-solid throughout the match, frustrating the Dutch’s attack. The Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk rued his team’s slow start, as they conceded two goals in the first seven minutes, which made the task of a comeback almost impossible. Despite a brief threat by Memphis Depay, the Dutch never looked in contention to score.

The victory marks a great start for the new captain, Mbappe, who finished the match with a brace and completed 38 goals in 67 appearances. The fans will be eager to see more of his exquisite skills in the upcoming matches.

The match was streamed live on ESPN+. Don’t miss the upcoming LaLiga and Bundesliga matches on the platform.