France thrash 10-man Netherlands
DOMINANT Thomas Lemar brace helps Les Bleus blank Holland and boost their 2018 World Cup qualifying chances EUROPEAN QUALIFIERS
Kylian Mbappe scored the final goal as France cruised to a 4-0 win over 10-man Netherlands in a key 2018 World Cup qualifier on Thursday, while Cristiano Ronaldo’s hat-trick propelled Portugal to victory elsewhere.
Antoine Griezmann put the home side ahead inside 14 minutes at the Stade de France before Kevin Strootman’s sending-off led to the Dutch being overwhelmed in the final half hour.
Thomas Lemar scored twice, the first from a stunning volley, and Mbappe capped an already memorable day on a personal level by netting his first international goal at the death.
A far superior French side are firmly back on track in their quest to make it to Russia next year after their shock 2-1 defeat in Sweden in June. This result, coupled with Sweden’s 3-2 defeat in Bulgaria, leaves Les Bleus three points clear at the top of qualifying Group A. qualifying.
Ronaldo netted with a neat volley from inside the area then added two other goals to surpass the Brazil great and move into second place on the list of Europe’s all-time scorers with 78 goals. He’s six behind Hungary great Ferenc Puskas.
Pele scored 77 goals for Brazil.
Switzerland stayed perfect in qualifying by defeating Andorra 3-0 in a match interrupted by poor pitch conditions under heavy rain in St. Gallen.
The Swiss reached 21 points, three more than second- placed Portugal, and are guaranteed to finish first or second in the group. Belgium stayed firmly on course to reach the 2018 World Cup after midfielder Thomas Meunier scored three goals and delivered as many assists in their 9-0 Group H qualifying demolition of Gibraltar on Thursday. Romelu Lukaku also scored a hat-trick as the Belgians remained in the group’s driving seat with 19 points from seven games.