PARIS - Three months after a heartbreaking defeat in the World Cup final, there were only "positive vibes" as France oozed class and confidence in their Euro 2024 qualifying opener on Friday with a 4-0 thrashing of the Netherlands.
Antoine Griezmann opened the scoring at the Stade de France from a Kylian Mbappe assist in just the second minute, before Dayot Upamecano added a second six minutes later.
Mbappe made it 3-0 after being played through by Aurelien Tchouameni in the 21st minute and then wrapped it up with his second two minutes from time.
It was Mbappe's first game as captain after Hugo Lloris announced his international retirement and the Paris Saint-Germain forward led by example, while goalkeeper Mike Maignan saved a late penalty from Memphis Depay in a flawless performance.
"There were a lot of positive vibes when they all gathered on Monday and I wanted them to transfer those vibes on to the pitch and that's what they all did," coach Didier Deschamps said.
This story is from the March 26, 2023 edition of The Straits Times.
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This story is from the March 26, 2023 edition of The Straits Times.
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