Paris, June 20 (BNA): French striker Kylian Mbappe scored another goal as his team preserved its perfect record in the Euro 2024 qualifiers in Group Two, with a 1-0 home victory over Greece, which ended the match with ten players after a late dismissal. Monday.
Mbappe scored a penalty kick in the second half to become the top scorer in France’s history over the course of a season, with 54 goals for club and country, surpassing the record set by Just Fontaine in the 1957-1958 season.
It also helped the Paris Saint-Germain striker advance with Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, who has a chance to finish top scorer among those playing in Europe’s five major leagues when Norway faces Cyprus on Tuesday.
The result left France top with 12 points, six ahead of second-placed Greece, who had Konstantinos Mavropanos sent off in the 69th minute after Mbappe’s penalty in the 55th minute.
“It’s been a long season for the players,” France coach Didier Deschamps said. “We did what we had to to win this game even if we felt sorry we didn’t score again because you never know what can happen late in the game.
“We wanted to follow up our victory over Gibraltar in front of our fans,” said midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, referring to France’s 3-0 win on Friday.
“We knew they were tough but we did the job, with three points without conceding a goal. Now, it’s straight into the holiday”.
Randall Kolo Mwani had a clear chance in the 25th minute when he headed down Mbappe’s cross but his effort went wide.
This came after previous chances for Mbappe and Kingsley Coman, but the attacking trio hit a brick wall.
After three penalty claims were denied, France had another chance to score, only Jules Conde’s shot was cleared by Odysseas Vlachodemus.
The hosts were finally awarded a penalty early in the second half after Antoine Griezmann, looking to connect with a cross from the left, was hit in the head by Mavropanos.
Mbappe’s penalty kick was saved by Vlachodemus, but had to be shot again because the goalkeeper left the goal line early.
Mbappe found the top corner for his second attempt to score the 40th goal of his 70th international career and Greece’s hopes were dashed further when Mavropanos was shown a straight red card for knocking off Kolo Mwani who was racing towards the goal.
After Saturday’s win over Gibraltar, France have now scored nine goals and kept clean sheets in all four qualifying matches.
They next meet third-placed Ireland, who have three points from three matches, at home on September 7 when Greece travel to the Netherlands, who are fourth with three points from two matches.
MI
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