Mbappe wraps up big France win as Ronaldo bags hat-trick
PARIS: 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.
Meanwhile, after failing to make it to the 24-team Euro on French soil last year, the Netherlands are in a battle even to finish second and grab a place in the two-legged play- offs in November.
Dick Advocaat’s side are fourth, three points behind second-placed Sweden with three qualifiers remaining, including a meeting with the Swedes in Amsterdam in October.
Currently serving a five-match ban in Spain with Real Madrid, Ronaldo showed no signs of ring-rustiness as he opened the scoring in Portugal’s 5-1 win over the Faroe Islands in Oporto with an acrobatic volley inside three minutes. He scored a penalty and went on to complete his hat-trick to make it 14 goals in this qualifying campaign and 78 international goals in 144 appearances for his country.
Por tuga l a re st il l t h ree points behind Group B leaders Switzerland. — AFP