France defeated Greece 1-0 on Monday thanks to a Kylian Mbappe penalty, maintaining their unblemished record in the Euro 2024 qualifying round.
The superstar of Paris Saint-Germain and France’s captain saw his first attempt saved early in the second half, but a Greek defender’s intrusion into the area allowed him to attempt again. He performed flawlessly the second time, and France could have won by a bigger margin had Greece defender Konstantinos Mavropanos not been dismissed for bringing Randal Kolo Muani to the ground and preventing a clear-cut chance to score.
France Euro qualifying win over Greece: France now leads qualifying Group B with 12 points after four games after winning their final match of the season, which came after a 3-0 victory against Gibraltar on Friday.
Despite having played one more game, they have yet to allow a goal and are six points ahead of Greece.
“The players’ season has been incredibly long. We did what was necessary to win the game while they were waiting for their vacations, according to coach Didier Deschamps, according to TF1.
“This team has less experience than it did six months ago, but there is still a lot of quality,” the coach said.
The 2016 World Cup runners-up look poised to make it to the finals in Germany after winning their first two matches against the Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland in March.
By the time of their September encounter against Ireland, it will be known where Mbappe will be playing club football in the upcoming campaign.
The 24-year-old last week stated he would not renew his contract at PSG, which expires next year. He took over as captain of Les Bleus when Hugo Lloris retired from international competition after the World Cup.
Even though he has stated that he plans to stay with the French champions next season, this has increased the possibility that the Qatar-backed club may sell him during current transfer window.
Mbappe overcame the speculation about his future to convert a penalty against Gibraltar, winning this game despite the French performance not being typical.
The bloodied head of Griezmann
A sold-out Stade de France audience witnessed Antoine Griezmann’s disappointment in the first half as Spanish referee Mateu Lahoz denied his demands for a penalty when George Baldock brought him down with an assault.
In the first half, the home team had good chances, with Kolo Muani and Jules Kounde both creating opportunities. Right before the break, goalie Odysseas Vlachodimos stopped Kounde’s shot.
Four minutes after the restart, Mavropanos’s high boot struck Antoine Griezmann in the head, providing France with the opportunity to take the lead.
After the awarding of a spot-kick, the VfB Stuttgart goalkeeper Mavropanos received a booking, leaving Griezmann in need of a bandage for his bloody head.
Vlachodimos, despite diving in the proper direction when a retake was called, could not repeat his heroics of saving Mbappe’s penalty the first time.
Along with his 41 goals across all competitions for PSG, Mbappe has scored 13 goals in 13 games this season for France.
He has scored 40 goals in 70 appearances for his nation, and he only needs one more to match Michel Platini’s total goals scored while wearing the France jersey.
Greece’s Hopes Dashed as Mavropanos’ Dismissal Ends Comeback Bid
Under Uruguayan coach Gustavo Poyet, Greece, the 2004 European champions, has seen something of a comeback. However, Mavropanos’ dismissal in the 69th minute ended Greece’s prospects of salvaging anything from this match.
A Kingsley Coman pass put Kolo Muani through on goal, but Mavropanos tripped him up as he approached the goal. The defender, who had already received a warning, received a straight red this time.
Despite having an additional player, France was unable to extend their lead because substitute Ousmane Dembele just missed connecting with Mbappe’s low centre.
Since taking over as the head coach of Greece in February of last year, Poyet stated that this match has been the toughest they have played since his arrival.
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“There is such a huge contrast between France and us. I hate to lose, but today we learned a lot.