Author: Amrit Santlani
The qualifying round for the 2024 UEFA European Championship kicked off on Friday with the third round featuring some of the heavyweights, such as France, England and Switzerland. Although there are still seven rounds to go before the 24 participants are finalized, the traditional powers gave a good example of themselves as France and England beat their opponents, while Switzerland had to work hard against Andorra.
France captain Kylian Mbappe – who caused quite a frenzy earlier in the week by informing Paris Saint Germain that he does not wish to extend his contract beyond 2024 – got his name on the scoresheet by scoring a penalty, while Olivier Giroud opened the scoring. An own goal from Aymen Mouelhi summed up Gibraltar’s problems, as they were clinically beaten by Didier Deschamps’ team.
Earlier on Friday, England hit four goals against Malta, with Harry Kane and Callum Wilson scoring a penalty each, as well as Trent Alexander Arnold and Ferdinand Apap, who scored an own goal to start the rout.
Kylian Mbappe sets aside PSG talks to focus on France
All the talk before the game at the Algarve Stadium in Faro, Portugal, was about the letter Mbappe sent to PSG, causing quite a stir. Some even questioned the timing of the move, as it could have hindered France’s preparations for the Euro 2024 qualifiers, but the 2018 World Cup winners showed no such signs.
Les Bleus needed just three minutes to open the scoring, making their intentions very clear: Giroud buried a header from inside the six-yard box into the net after a cross from Kingsley Coman.
Coman came close to scoring in the 14th minute, but Dayle Coleing made a smart save. Mbappe was at the heart of the action and capped a brilliant first half with a well-taken penalty to double France’s lead.
Shortly after the restart, Antoine Griezzman hit the post after a cut-back from Theo Hernandez, before Mbappe ended the game with a cross that he fed to Kolo Muani, but Mouelhi stretched out and could only deflect the ball into his own net.
England score four goals against hapless Malta
England faced Malta at the Ta’ Qali National Stadium, looking to continue their momentum in European qualifying. Captain Harry Kane tested Henry Bonello after an initial corner, but the goalkeeper made a good save. In the next attack, the English managed to open the scoring: Alexander-Arnold played a long pass to Bukayo Saka, who tried to pass to Kane, but Ferdinand inadvertently sent the ball into his own net.
Arnold then turned scorer himself, firing a shot from 30 yards, leaving the Maltese goalkeeper with no chance as the Three Lions doubled their lead. The Liverpool right-back was given permission to attack after being deployed in midfield by Gareth Southgate, and the move turned out to be a lesson in tactics.
Declan Rice came close to scoring when he tried another shot from outside the box, which was saved, but Kane grabbed the rebound before giving his side a penalty.
England’s record goalscorer took the penalty, scoring his fifth goal in a row. In the second half, Kane shot wide, missing an easy chance to score a fourth goal, before the Three Lions were awarded their second penalty of the night. Callum Wilson hit the target to add more gloss to the scoreline.
In other qualifying matches on Friday, Switzerland beat Andorra 2-1, Ukraine beat North Macedonia 3-2, Turkey beat Latvia 3-2, Greece beat Ireland 2-1, Armenia managed to beat Wales 4-2 and Denmark beat Northern Ireland 1-0.