K. Mbappé

France Ratings: Kylian Mbappe masterclass lifts France past the Netherlands to kick off Euro 2024 qualifying in style

Thomas Hindle
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Mbappe looks to crowd France vs Netherlands
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Kylian Mbappe scored twice and assisted while wearing the armband, while Antoine Griezmann continued his electric form to lift France to a 4-0 win

Les Blues scored early and settled in thereafter to brush aside an injury-crippled Netherlands team, completing a convincing 4-0 win to start their Euro qualifying campaign.

Mbappe was at the centre of it all, assisting France's first and scoring their third and fourth, as the World Cup runners-up scored three in 22 minutes to breeze to an easy win.

Griezmann opened the scoring early, curling a shot into the far corner off an Mbappe pass inside two minutes.

Dayot Upamecano doubled the French advantage five minutes later, turning home from close range after a goalkeeping blunder from Jasper Cillessen. And Mbappe provided the third, running through on goal and finding the bottom corner with ease. He added a glorious fourth late on to complete a statement win.

GOAL rates France's players from Stade de France...

Editors' Picks

  1. Goalkeeper & Defence
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    Goalkeeper & Defence

    Mike Maignan (7/10):

    Made one slightly unorthodox stop to deny Memphis Depay. Saved a late penalty to keep things at 4-0. Clean sheet in his first start as France's No.1.

    Jules Kounde (6/10):

    Not the best going forward but reliable defensively.

    Ibou Konate (7/10):

    Mostly handled Memphis Depay, made a couple of lively forward runs.

    Dayot Upamecano (7/10):

    Scored France's second by bundling the ball over the line from close range.

    Theo Hernandez (7/10):

    Made one timely intervention as Berghuis ran through on goal. He's absolutely rapid.

  2. Midfield
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    Midfield

    Antoinne Griezmann (8/10):

    Started the game wonderfully, scoring the opener inside two minutes. Continued his electric form from the World Cup. Didier Deschamps has turned him into a devastating creative midfielder for France.

    Aurelien Tchouameni (6/10):

    Hasn't been at his best for Madrid domestically, and was a bit lacking here, too. His decision making was rather slow, but his defensive positioning was on point. Also assisted Mbappe with a well-placed pass.

    Adrien Rabiot (6/10):

    Wasn't the most creatively impactful, and often lost track of the half-fit Gini Wijnaldum. Better in the second half, though.

  4. Attack
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    Attack

    Kingsley Coman (5/10):

    Uncharacteristically quiet, save for a few impressive scampers down the wing. First France player subbed.

    Randal Kolo Muani (7/10):

    A real handful all evening, and linked up with Mbappe well. Blasted one over in the second half. Not always clinical, but he's clearly the future of France's front three.

    Kylian Mbappe (8/10):

    Assisted Griezmann inside two minutes for a 1-0 lead, grabbed a goal of his own 20 minutes later. Constantly dangerous, put three shots on target. Is now 5th on France's all-time goalscoring list.

  5. Subs & Manager
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    Subs & Manager

    Moussa Diaby (6/10):

    Had a goal ruled out for offside.

    Youssouf Fofana (6/10):

    Only touched the ball five times.

    Eduardo Camavinga (7/10):

    A lot more lively than Tchouameni, and made a case for being the regular in the more defensive role.

    Olivier Giroud (6/10)

    36 and still in the squad. Wasn't involved much.

    Khephren Thuram (N/A):

    On for the last few minutes.

    Didier Deschamps (8/10):

    Picked a full strength XI and it worked from the get go. France scored twice inside 10 minutes, added a third after 21. He perhaps will be disappointed that his team didn't keep going, but this was an emphatic start to qualifying.