Mbappe shines to help France sink the Netherlands

At home, France poured forward to attack after the opening whistle. The reigning world runner-up pressed high, actively exploiting the position of young center back Lutsharel Geertruida and reaped unexpected results, which were 3 goals in just 21 minutes.

In the second minute, Antoine Griezmann successfully fought for the ball in the middle of the field to open up an attack for France. The striker, who is currently playing for Atletico Madrid, moved into the penalty area, received a cross from Kylian Mbappe, before finishing with one touch, opening the score.

"The Gaulois Rooster" settled the match in the first half.

Six minutes after conceding the goal, the Dutch net shook again, this time from a chaotic situation in the penalty area. Dayot Upamecano seized the opportunity from close range to double the gap for "Les Bleus".

In the 21st minute, France attacked directly in the middle. Kolo Muani's leg lift startled Geertruida. Mbappe used his speed to break away, coolly finishing, raising the score to 3-0.

If they had finished more carefully, France could have gone into the break with a 3-goal advantage. On the other hand, the Netherlands had exactly one chance in the first 45 minutes, which was an unsuccessful combination between Xavi Simons and Memphis Depay in the 32nd minute.

Frenkie De Jong was absent, leaving an unfillable void in the Dutch midfield. In the second half, the "Orange Storm" continued to play poorly and only knew how to look for opportunities from set pieces. In the 58th minute, Depay fired a powerful shot from more than 20 meters away. Mike Maignan played with concentration to save France.

Depay alone was not enough to make a difference against the French defense.

The reigning world runner-up conceded the game but still showed their sharpness in transition situations. Spaces opened up many times before Kolo Muani and Mbappe. However, the home team's striker duo could not take advantage.

In the final minutes, the Dutch net shook for the fourth time, after a shot by Moussa Diaby. However, VAR intervened and took away the goal of the Leverkusen player.

Fans at the Stade de France did not have to regret for long. In the 88th minute, Mbappe dribbled straight into the middle. He made a series of fake moves to get past the defender, before shooting diagonally from the 16.5m line, raising the score to 4-0.

In the 90+5 minute, the Netherlands had a chance to score an honorary goal. From 11 meters away, Depay continued to disappoint with his shot being blocked by Maignan.

France won convincingly at home and will be in high spirits when they face the Republic of Ireland on March 28. Meanwhile, the Netherlands will face Gibraltar in the second match.

According to Zing