Qualifying video games for Euro 2024 continued on Friday, with the primary three groups apart from host nation Germany qualifying for subsequent summer time’s match.
Here are the largest takeaways from Friday’s slate of video games.
Mbappé stars as France finishes the job
This match between two longtime continental powerhouses was all France proper from the beginning. Les Bleus jumped out to an early lead when Kylian Mbappé — who else? — scored simply six minutes into the competition. Arguably the planet’s finest participant, Mbappé doubled the guests benefit shortly after halftime in Amsterdam.
Quilindschy Hartman pulled one again late for the hosts, nevertheless it wasn’t sufficient. France might’ve added one other to make it 3-1 after, however Mbappé’s effort clattered off the crossbar:
France is now an ideal 6-0 in qualifying, and its most spectacular victory but despatched Didier Deschamps’ aspect to Euro 2024 with two qualifying matches to spare. More to the purpose: it cements Les Bleus standing because the title favorites subsequent summer time.
Belgium punches its ticket
With the Belgians and Austrians nicely forward of the remainder of the pack in Group F, there was little doubt that each would make the principle occasion. But Belgium can nonetheless have fun being among the many first group of countries — following the host Germans — to book a spot at subsequent summer time’s match.
Austria did make Belgium work for its 3-2 victory, which noticed Everton midfielder Amadou Onana despatched off within the second half. It will not be lengthy earlier than they seal the deal themselves.
Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo additionally headed to the principle occasion
It was nearer than they anticipated, with Slovakia scoring twice late to make issues attention-grabbing after Portugal ran out to a 3-0 leads on two strikes by Ronaldo and one from Gonçalo Ramos.
Either means, the Portuguese will gladly take it. And the 38-year-old Ronaldo — who turned the primary males’s participant to scored 125 worldwide objectives in Friday’s recreation — actually will.
Dutch loss leaves Oranje in bother
Even on factors with Greece heading into Friday’s encounter with Mbappé et al, The Netherlands wanted a win to remain in second place in Group B. Instead, they ended the day on the surface wanting in due to the Greeks’ triumph in Ireland.
The twin outcomes arrange a scrumptious match between the Netherlands and Greece lower than three days from now, when the 2 sides meet simply exterior of Athens, although the Dutch do nonetheless have an additional recreation in hand.
Republic of Ireland formally out
It was inevitable the best way the Boys in Green had performed all through qualifying, however that does not make the truth that Ireland — which misplaced 2-0 to Greece in Dublin Friday — will not play at Euro 2024 any simpler to swallow for lengthy struggling Irish followers.
It’s the second straight miss for Ireland, which certified for consecutive Euros for the primary time in 2012 and 2016. Ireland’s participation is not assured in 2028 both, regardless of being one of many co-hosts (together with England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales): underneath UEFA guidelines, simply two of these nations will obtain computerized berths. For the sake of the match, here is hoping the Irish are capable of reverse their latest pattern and discover a means in.
Doug McIntyre is a soccer author for FOX Sports. Before becoming a member of FOX Sports in 2021, he was a employees author with ESPN and Yahoo Sports and he has coated United States males’s and ladies’s nationwide groups at a number of FIFA World Cups. Follow him on Twitter @ByDougMcIntyre.
Euro Cup
Get extra from Euro Qualifying Follow your favorites to get details about video games, information and extra
