CHISINAU (AFP) - Winger Antoine Griezmann scored one and set up another as World Cup winners Frances easily beat Moldova 4-1 in Chisinau in their opening Euro 2020 qualifier on Friday (March 22).
The Atletico Madrid attacker opened the scoring in the 24th minute of the Group H encounter before crossing for Raphael Varane to double the scores three minutes later.
Olivier Giroud equalled David Trezeguet as Les Bleus' third highest scorer of all time with his 34th international goal nine minutes before the break and Kylian Mbappe completed the rout with three minutes left, before Vladimir Ambros claimed a late consolation for Moldova.
Left-back Layvin Kurzawa was the only member of the starting lineup without a World Cup medal as Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman pulled out during the warm up with a muscle issue and was replaced by Blaise Matuidi.
Griezmann had the best of the early chances but his effort from far out failed to threaten Alexei Koselev in the home side's goal after 17 minutes.
The shaggy-haired wide-man scored his 27th goal for France seven minutes later, Manchester United playmaker Paul Pogba picking Griezmann out inside the box with a perfectly timed chip before he hit a lob first time to beat a flat-footed Koselev.
Griezmann then turned provider, his corner finding centre-back Raphael Varane, who headed to double the visitors' advantage at the Zimbru Stadium.
Â
Â
Giroud put to bed when he met late call-up Matuidi's cross a left-footed volley.
Giroud missed an opportunity to move ahead of Trezeguet's record 34 goals shortly after the break, when his header from a Griezmann cross flew past the post.
Pogba could have added a second assist to Griezmann's account but his header was parried away superbly by Koselev on 70 minutes, and the Manchester United man went close again with 11 minutes left when his shot could only find the side-netting.
Kylian Mbappe succeeded where Pogba failed on 87 minutes.
Lemar's challenge on Eugeniu Cebotaru fed the Paris-Saint Germain forward who easily beat keeper Koselev.
The hosts claimed a consolation goal with 90 seconds of normal time remaining when midfielder Ambros capitalised on a rebound off the post to fire past Hugo Lloris.
Next up for France is Iceland on Monday, while as Moldova, who are yet to qualify for an international tournament, head to Turkey.
Maurizio Sarri: Chelsea boss says sorry after Man City rout. 10 Feb; From the section Chelsea; All I can do is apologise to the fans because it is not acceptable." Sarri, who left Serie A side
Maurizio Sarri issues public APOLOGY to Chelsea fans days
Football: Noh Rahman embracing learning curve as Home United
Valencia set up a Copa del Rey showdown with Barcelona as they reached the final for the first time in 11 years by beating Real Betis 1-0 at a bouncing Mestalla on Thursday where a second-half
Football: Valencia to face Barca in Copa final after seeing
Real Madrid take top spot from Man United in 'money league' Real Madrid have knocked Manchester United off the top of Deloitte's Football Money League, but the Premier League still flexed
Real Madrid take top spot from Manchester United in 'money
Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi says he will miss the rest of the season after suffering a ruptured Achilles in Monday's 2-2 draw against Burnley. Hudson-Odoi limped off helped by two members of Chelsea's medical staff after sustaining the injury in the first half of the Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea's Hudson-Odoi says he will miss rest of season
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp hailed his players as 'giants' after amazing win We played against maybe the best team in world. Winning is difficult but winning with a clean sheet, I don't
'These Boys Are Giants': Klopp Salutes Liverpool Heroes - The
Ex-United star denies homophobia after spat with PSG. French national team defender Patrice Evra takes part in a past training session. on social media" after a bizarre spat in which Evra
Evra denies homophobia after social media spat with PSG
Zaha wants Champions League football (20th Apr) Wilfried Zaha was linked with a number of top six club last summer, but interest has cooled in the forward during the season. Despite this, it could be about to hot up again with the revelation that the 26-year-old is desperate for Champions League football.
NFL Power Rankings: Checking in at Start of Training Camps
Gareth Bale is still "100 per cent" committed to Real Madrid despite speculation over his future, the Wales star's agent insisted on Monday. Former Tottenham winger Bale has been linked with a
Bale is 100 per cent committed to Real Madrid, says Welshman
Clock ticking on PA city manager search. 1 / 1. Back to Gallery Port Arthur has fewer than 30 days for a city manager candidate the City Council can agree on to emerge. Mayor Derrick Freeman said
The clock is ticking | Plant City Observer
Queensway Seccondary School: Success through Diligence. ST Young Athlete of the Year: Passion and determination drive footballer Putri Nur Syaliza and ACS paddlers. One of our girls is excelling in the Girls Football scene and has been nominated for the ST Young Athlete of the Year award!
Home | ST Young Athlete
Milan draw another blank in Frosinone stalemate. Pressure continues to pile on Milan coach Gennaro Gattuso after a draw against Frosinone.
Milan draw another blank in Frosinone stalemate - Football
May 01, 2019 · Jan Vertonghen will not play for Tottenham at Bournemouth on Saturday as the club continue to monitor him in the wake of the head injury he suffered in Tuesday night's Champions League defeat
Tottenham's Jan Vertonghen to visit neurologist over head
Newcastle get extra-time win, Stoke fall to Shrews in Cup replays a shock 3-2 home defeat by third-tier Shrewsbury Town in FA Cup third-round replays on chance to put Blackburn ahead
Newcastle get extra-time win, Stoke fall to Shrews in Cup
0 comments:
Post a Comment