France demolish 10-man Gibraltar with 14-0 record win in Euro 2024 qualifiers

NICE (Agencies): France recorded the biggest victory in European Championship qualifying with a 14-0 rout of 10-man Gibraltar on Saturday as Kylian Mbappe grabbed a hat-trick and Warren Zaire-Emery scored on his debut. The French surpassed Germany’s 13-0 win over San Marino in 2006 in their biggest ever win in international football. It was also the first time a European team had scored 14 goals in a World Cup or European Championship qualifying match. Marcus Thuram, Zaire-Emery, Mbappe, Jonathan Clauss, Kingsley Coman and Youssouf Fofana netted in the first half of the Group B match after France had gone ahead through a third-minute own goal. France were already assured of top spot in the group and Deschamps handed 17-year-old Zaire-Emery his debut, making him the youngest France player since 1914. The teenager became the youngest scorer for France since that date with his goal in the 16th minute, but he was caught on his ankle by Ethan Santos. The Gibraltar defender was sent off and Zaire-Emery’s debut came to a premature end. With Gibraltar reduced to 10 men, France’s biggest ever win, 10-0 over Azerbaijan in 1995, was clearly within sight.

Adrien Rabiot and Coman’s second brought the record closer and Ousmane Dembele made it 10-0 before Mbappe scored twice to complete his hat-trick, his third a delightful long-range effort after he spotted the keeper off his line. Mbappe overtook Antoine Griezmann to move into third place on France’s all-time scorers list on 46 goals and he is now only five behind Thierry Henry. Substitute Olivier Giroud, France’s all-time top scorer, got in on the act with two late goals to complete the demolition job and move on to 56 goals for his country. France, who have won all seven group games, will look to maintain that perfect record when they travel to Greece on Tuesday for their final game. Gibraltar, who suffered their heaviest ever loss and have yet to score in the qualifying group, end their campaign with a home game against the Netherlands who secured qualification with a 1-0 win over Ireland on Saturday.

Romania secure Euro 2024 spot with comeback win over Israel: In Felscut, Romania booked a place at Euro 2024 after recovering from a goal down to claim a 2-1 win against Israel in their Group I qualifying clash on Saturday. The match, held in Hungary, was evenly contested until Ianis Hagi secured the win for Romania with a low shot from a tight angle inside the box after 63 minutes. Eran Zahavi had put Israel in the lead 90 seconds into the match with a header from an unmarked position after a corner. Romania levelled after 10 minutes when George Puscas headed in a rebound off the woodwork. Tensions heightened as Romania’s Valentin Mihaila received a red card five minutes from time for a tackle on Dor Turgeman. The result sees Israel fall short of a top-two finish and they will move into the playoffs for another chance to reach next year’s finals in Germany.

Switzerland qualify for Euro 2024 after 1-1 draw with Kosovo: In Basel, Switzerland booked their place at Euro 2024 with a 1-1 home draw against Kosovo in European qualifying Group I on Saturday. Kosovo were under pressure for most of the first half but the Swiss only broke the deadlock two minutes after the break through a Ruben Vargas header, before Muhamet Hyseni levelled for Kosovo eight minutes from time. Switzerland, who are second with 17 points, secured a top-two finish to seal their third successive appearance at the Euro finals and sixth overall. They play their final game on Tuesday against group leaders Romania ––– who are on 19 points and also sealed qualification with a 2-1 win over Israel ––– to decide top spot.

Dutch qualify for Euro 2024 with 1-0 win over Ireland: In Amsterdam, striker Wout Weghorst’s early goal ensured the Netherlands clinched a berth at Euro 2024 as they beat Ireland 1-0 at the Johan Cruyff Arena on Saturday to finish second in Group B. Weghorst broke free from just inside the Irish half and, despite options to his left, decided to steam straight towards goal and strike a rasping effort that crashed into the roof of the net after 12 minutes. The win took the Dutch to 15 points, six behind group winners France who have a 100% record after their seven group matches but out of the reach of Greece in third place. The injury-plagued Dutch, without many of their regulars, outplayed the Irish for most of the game and created several half chances but were unable to add to their lead, despite the best efforts of an attack led by Cody Gakpo. The Dutch have now qualified for their 11th European Championship.