Kylian Mbappe set a new record as France maintained their perfect record in Euro 2024 qualifying Group B with a 1-0 home win against 10-man Greece on Tuesday.
Mbappe scored a second-half penalty to become France’s top scorer for a single season with 54 goals for club and country, beating the record set by Just Fontaine in 1957-58.
It also helped the Paris Saint-Germain forward to draw level with Norway and Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, who will have the chance to become the top scorer among those playing in Europe’s top five leagues when his national team takes on Cyprus on Wednesday. .
The result left France top of Group B with 12 points, six clear of second-placed Greece, who lost Konstantinos Mavropanos in the second half to Mbappe’s goal.
“It was a long season for the players,” said France coach Didier Deschamps as quoted by ESPN.
“We did what we had to do to win this game even if we regret not scoring again because you never know what can happen at the end of the game.”
Randal Kolo Muani had a chance in the 25th minute with a header after receiving Mbappe’s cross but his effort went wide.
It came after previous opportunities for Mbappe and Kingsley Coman, but the attacking trio found themselves deadlocked.
The hosts were eventually awarded a penalty early in the second half after Griezmann, who attempted to convert a cross from the left, was hit on the head by Mavropanos.
Vlachodimos was able to save Mbappe’s penalty but it had to be retaken as the Greek keeper left his goal line too quickly.
Mbappe fired into the top corner with his second effort 10 minutes into the second half to score his 40th goal in his 70th international appearance, and Greece’s hopes were dashed further when Mavropanos was shown a straight red card when he brought down a rushing Kolo Muani. towards the goal.
“We wanted to follow up on our win against Gibraltar, in front of our crowd,” said midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, referring to France’s 3-0 win on Friday.
“We knew they were difficult to beat, but we did it, three points without conceding. Now, on to the holidays.”
After Saturday’s 3-0 win against Gibraltar, France have now scored nine goals and kept a clean sheet in their four qualifying matches.
They next face Ireland at home on September 7 while Greece will travel to the Netherlands.
