Paris: Kylian Mbappe scored one and set up two more as France routed Iceland 4-0 at the Stade de France on Monday night to move to the top of Group H in Euro 2020 qualifying.
The result gives France six points from their first two matches and puts them ahead Turkey, who also won 4-0 on Monday, on goal difference.
“It was our objective to take six points but the manner was good as well,” France manager Didier Deschamps told the post-match press conference. Deschamps praised his team’s “offensive efficiency” against a “dense” Icelandic defence.
“When the opponent plays very defensively it can be very difficult to find a way through so that was a good sign,” said Deschamps, although he acknowledged that Icelandic fatigue near the end played a role.
He added that he was pleased that all three strikers – Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann and Oivier Giroud – scored. “They are the champions of the world and you saw that today,” acknowledged Iceland manager Erik Hamren. “Five shots on goal and they scored four. That’s top class” From the start Mbappe’s movement mesmerised the Icelanders, though his contribution to the opening goal after 11 minutes was straightforward. The visitors cleared a corner only as far as Benjamin Pavard. The right back switched the ball to Mbappe, alone on the left. The young star had time to aim his cross which Samuel Umititi met at the near post with a header that glanced off the inside of the far post and into the goal. Four minutes later, Giroud almost headed another, from a cross by Pavard, but Hannes Halldorsson leapt and stretched to palm the ball over.
For the next 45 minutes, France, who have never lost to Iceland, gave the impression that they had slipped down a couple of gears and were content to take the long-range shooting opportunities the packed Iceland defence was allowing. Iceland meanwhile worked courageously and managed to force the occasional small threat. After 68 minutes, Iceland were again punished for failing to put distance on a clearance. France moved the ball to Pavard who swerved a cross in from the right that lured Halldorsson into a desperate dive for a ball he could not reach. Giroud kneed the ball into the empty net for his 35th France goal.
On the other hand, Ross Barkley’s double goals helped England smash Montenegro 5-1 and reap 10 goals in two games to strength its position of Group A leader.
Although England was the more aggressive opponent in the beginning of the match, it was the home team that gained the initial advantage.
Marko Vesovic picked up the ball in the first attack of Montenegro in 18th minute and dribbled through two players to shake the net of England for 1-0.Home team did not celebrate for long, as England set the score even in the 30th minute, after Michael Keane caught the long pass of Barkley, and beat Montenegro’s keeper with a header.Barkley brought the 2-1 advantage to England after picking up a deflected shot in the 39th minute.In the 59th minute, Barkley scored another goal from some 12 meters, while Harry Kane increased the advantage to 4-1 in the 71st minute on Raheem Sterling’s assistance. (AFP)
