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.
Olivier Giroud vs Gonzalo Higuain - Chelsea must start serial final winner against Arsenal. Maurizio Sarri has a choice to make up front
Gonzalo Higuain: Chelsea will do very well next season if
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is determined to keep Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford at Old Trafford, saying the pair are vital to his plans of building a team "worthy of the
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer urges 'vital' Paul Pogba and Marcus
Norwich City secured promotion to the English Premier League after a three-year absence with a 2-1 win at home to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday. Norwich CityVictory left Championship leaders Norwich ni | Africa Football
Football: Norwich promoted to Premier League after three-year
MADRID (REUTERS) - Holders Real Madrid were sensationally knocked out of the Champions League on Tuesday (March 5) after being thrashed 4-1 at home by an outstanding Ajax Amsterdam who overturned
Shell-shocked Real Madrid Knocked Out of Champions League by
LONDON • Manchester United have been on a roll since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's appointment with 11 wins from 13 games in all competitions, but Jurgen Klopp believes he has "the blueprint" to inflict their first Premier League loss under the caretaker boss tomorrow.
Tottenham must adopt Liverpool(ish) blueprint to beat
Football; Formula 1; Rice scores first Hammers goal to defeat Arsenal. whose ball came to Rice via a neat lay-off from Nasri and Rice's first-time shot gave Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno
Rice scores first Hammers goal to defeat Arsenal - ewn.co.za
Southampton secured their Premier League status for another year after a thrilling 3-3 home draw with Bournemouth on Saturday as Cardiff City slumped to a 1-0 defeat at Fulham. The draw put
Southampton stay up after thrilling 3-3 draw with Bournemouth
The inquest into Maurizio Sarri's reign will be ramped up further over the next few days with Chelsea's top-four hopes having suffered a huge blow. That Gonzalo Higuain failed to open his account for his new side on his Premier League debut, only made things worse.
'Too stubborn' - These Chelsea fans say the same thing about
UEFA says anti-racism protocol not followed in Koulibaly case Date created : 28/12/2018 - 23:29 FIFPro and UEFA are "very concerned" that the Inter v Napoli match played on despite racist abuse
UEFA says anti-racism protocol not followed in Koulibaly case
SINGAPORE - Singaporean Akbar Nawas has been named the I-League's best coach after leading Chennai City to their first title earlier this month.. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Football: Singaporean coach Akbar Nawas is I-League's best
Griezmann on target again as Atletico edge closer to Barca Griezmann could have been playing for Barca had his decision been different last summer but instead he is fast-becoming the sharpest
Football: Griezmann on target again as Atletico edge closer
Lions Clubs International (LCI) is a 501(c)(4) tax-exempt social welfare organization and is not eligible to accept or solicit charitable donations. All donations accepted on lionsclubs.org support Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF), which is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charitable organization. LCI and LCIF are EEO providers.
New Singapore football coach Tatsuma Yoshida and players
usasportsradar.com/soccer/new-singapore-football-coach-tatsuma-yoshida-and-players-must-be-on-same-page/
New Singapore football coach Tatsuma Yoshida and players 'must be on same page' for the Lions to succeed. "Fans in Singapore will want the new coach to
Lions stutter to narrow 4-3 victory over Solomon Islands
Soccer: Impressive Burnley fight back to beat Bournemouth 3-1
0 comments:
Post a Comment