A double by Kilian Mbappé allowed France to take a narrow victory (1-2), but that is worth qualifying for the 2024 European Championship, at the home of the Netherlands. In Group B, Deschamps' team is on full score after six rounds. Greece came in second, overtaking the Dutch (9) thanks to a 2-0 win in Dublin over the Republic of Ireland and now has 12 points.
In Amsterdam, Mbappé - dry from four games with ParisSG - broke the deadlock in the 7th minute with a right-footed volley, making the most of Clauss's cross. He doubled the lead in the 8th minute of the second half after an exchange with Rabiot, before beating Verbruggen with a powerful shot under the crossbar. The Dutch reaction, a little late, materialized with the goal of the debutant Hartman. The Feyenoord defender beat Maignan with a beautiful diagonal shot with 7 minutes to go. France thus conceded their first goal in these qualifiers.
Belgium and Portugal already have tickets to Germany in their pockets. Despite lacking Kevin de Bruyne in midfield and Thibaut Courtois, Belgium beat Austria 3-2 in Vienna (Lukaku also scored) and Group F with 16 points. Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal, who also scored twice, beat Slovakia 3-2 in Porto.
The seventh win in as many rounds allows Portugal to extend the lead in Group J, with the certainty of reaching at least second place. Also for the Lusitanians the two goals conceded tonight were the first of the qualifiers.
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