DUBLIN/AMSTERDAM – The UEFA European Championship 2024 qualification round completed another eight games of matchday 2 on Monday night.
In the focused match yesterday, France faced a tough battle to beat Ireland 1-0 in Dublin, getting two consecutive wins and leading Group B with six points.
Left-back Benjamin Pavard scored a fantastic long shot in the 50th minute to help Les Bleus avoid an upset and losing points.
The French captain Kylian Mbappe who scored twice in their 4-0 victory over Netherlands last Friday, stopped his fire last night as well as his attacking teammates Olivier Giroud and Randal Kolo Muani.
The home team closed to equalise the score in the second half, but goalkeeper Mike Maignan’s magical saves secured the visitors’ triumph.
Netherlands Crush Gibraltar
In another match of the same group, Netherlands had no trouble to hail an easy 3-0 victory against Gibraltar at home, receiving their first win in the Euro 2024 qualifiers.
Memphis Depay headed the opening goal in the 23th minute, another two scores from Nathan Ake in the second half ensured the away team in world ranking 200 didn’t stand a chance to make a surprise.
The Dutch seem to have recovered from their loss to France last week, with Cody Gakpo and other players back to the squad after a food poisoning incident before matchday 1 started.
Oranje is now in third place of Group B, the same as three points with Greece but one more game played.
Sweden and Hungary Big Wins
In the other matches on Monday, Sweden crushed Azerbaijan 5-0 at Stockholm, getting their first win in Group F.
The Pirates who lost 0-3 to Belgium last week, netting five goals from different players yesterday including Emil Forsberg, Bahlul Mustafazada, Viktor Gyokeres, Jesper Karlsson and Manchester United star Anthony Elanga.
Austria is leading the group with six points after they took Estonia down 2-1 on the same day.
Meanwhile, Hungary beat Bulgaria 3-0 at Puskas Arena Stadium to have a good start in their debut in Group G.
Poland defeated Albania 1-0 in Group E, thanks to the only goal from Karol Swiderski.
Upcoming: Spain visit Scotland
On Tuesday night, another seven games of matchday 2 will be played.
Spain will visit Scotland as the focused match in Group A.
The three times European champion who beat Norway 3-0 in the first match, expect another three points at Glasgow.
The Spanish striker Joselu who scored twice last week as a substitute might have another surprise tonight, while captain Alvaro Morata is begging for his first goal in this event.
Norway will visit Georgia to seek their first point in the same group.
In Group D, Wales will meet Latvia, while leading team Turkey will face Croatia.
The Euro Cup 2024 qualification round will stop after today, and resume on 16th June for matchday 3.
The Euro 2024 tournament will be held from 14th June to 14th July next year in Germany.
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