France, Portugal & Belgium qualify for EUROs; Ireland lose again | OneFootball

There has been several 2024 European Championship’s qualifiers tonight with France, Portugal and Belgium all sealing their spots for Germany next summer.

Check out what happened here.

Mbappé seals French qualification with a double against the Dutch

Scorers: Mbappé 7′, 52′

After dominating the ball in the first few minutes, France opened the scoring via their most reliable source: Kylian Mbappé.

Some neat interplay around the box culminated with right-back Jonathan Clauss whipping the ball in towards the PSG forward, who finished brilliantly from close range.

The French captain got his and his side’s second just after the break, and what a goal it was. After the ball came back to him off a Dutch defender, Mbappé caressed and curled the ball into the net over the overstretched arms of Bart Verbruggen.

Ronald Koeman’s men thought they had pulled one back quickly through Donyell Malen but Nathan Aké was adjudged to be offside in the lead up by VAR.

They got their goal with six minutes to go and it was something special from debutant Quilindschy Hartman, who beat Mike Maignan at his near post after some excellent build up.

This sparked the French into life and Mbappé almost had his hat-trick, his slightly deflected effort bouncing off the Dutch crossbar.

France held out to qualify with games to spare while the injury-hit Dutch go to Athens for a pivotal clash with Greece.

Greece win in easy fashion against a sorry Irish outfit

Scorers: Giakoumakis 20′, Masouras 45+4′

Ireland started much the stronger, with Evan Ferguson’s left footed shot, which shaved the post, being the closest they came to the opening goal.

The Greeks grew into the game and it was they who got the first goal in the 20th minute. Kostas Tsimikas was given far too much space on the left-hand side and whipped a ball towards Giorgos Giakoumakis who finished with a truly stunning header, which gave Gavin Bazunu no chance.

It was two for the visitors right before the teams went in for half time, a break and some questionable Irish defending eventually seeing Giorgos Masouras finish from close range.

Ireland looked to get back into the game in the second 45, Mikey Johnston’s introduction off the bench leading to some improved attacking play. His cross came to Matt Doherty, who could not finish from close range.

That was about in terms of a fightback as Greece perfectly prepared for that clash with the Netherlands.

Ronaldo leads his side to victory and books their spot in Germany

Scorers: Ramos 18′, Ronaldo 29′, 72′; Hancko 69′, Lobotka 80′

Needing a win to qualify, Portugal took their first step towards Germany 2024 with a goal in the 18th minute.

Some work around the box from Bernardo Silva saw the ball come to Bruno Fernandes, who plucked a ball onto the head of Gonçalo Ramos, who made no mistake from close range.

It was two soon after, Cristiano Ronaldo getting his 124th (a world record) international goal from the penalty spot.

Slovakia pulled one back in the 69th minute, David Hancko’s long distance effort wrongfooting Diogo Costa with the aid of a massive deflection.

Portuguese fans need not have worried as Ronaldo got another just three minutes later. His former Manchester United teammate Bruno Fernandes whizzed a low ball across the box and the skipper was there to tap home from two yards out.

The Slovaks rallied again, Stanislav Lobotka curling home a wonderful effort from outside the box to make for a nervy last 10 minutes, but Portugal held out to qualify in style with their seventh win in a row.

Belgium survive Austrian fightback to seal qualification

Scorers: Laimer 73′, Sabtitzer 84′; Lukebakio 12′, 55′, Lukaku 58′

In a winner qualifies clash, it was Belgium who struck first, opening the scoring in the 12th minute with a wonderful goal from Dodi Lukebakio.

Timothy Castagne was given the assist but it was all about the Sevilla man who dribbled down the right-hand side before finishing from a tight angle.

Lukebakio got another ten minutes after the break, his left footed shot deflecting into the Austrian net.

It was three and easy for the Red Devils minutes later, Romelu Lukaku getting his 78th goal for his nation. The Roma forward continued his recent resurgence with a cool finish after brilliant work from Jeremy Doku.

Konrad Laimer pulled one back for the Austrians in the 73rd minute, and five minutes later they were facing 10 men as Amadou Onana received his second yellow.

Marcel Sabitzer got another goal for the home side from the penalty spot as they heaped the pressure on the Belgians to hold out, which they duly did.

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