🇪🇺 Perfect France; Dutch & Denmark win; Hungary impress; Poland survive | OneFootball

The 2024 European qualifiers continued on Thursday with a handful of games scheduled and big names impressed.

Here is what went down

Perfect France show Ireland up

Scorer: Tchouaméni 19′, Thuram 47′

France dominated the opening moments against Ireland, as Kylian Mbappé and Olivier Giroud kickstarted their deadly attacking line.

Yet while the visitors managed to stifle every threat in the opening minutes (with goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu impressing), a thunderbolt of a strike from Aurélien Tchouaméni curled into the corner from range.

Giroud was later forced off injured in what will be a big concern for Milan, while Mbappé saw a goal ruled out for offside.

Later, while Ireland were very much still in the match, France looked to put the game to bed early on in the second half and did so.

Giroud’s replacement Marcus Thuram scored his first senior goal for 2-0 and without the likes of hat-trick starlet Evan Ferguson, Ireland couldn’t respond.

Additionally, while he didn’t get on the scoresheet, Antoine Griezmann was arguably the man of the match with a stellar midfield display for Les Bleus.

The result means France have five wins from five and sit top of Group B while Ireland are fourth.

Dutch dazzle past Greece

Scorer: De Roon 17′, Gakpo 32′, Weghorst 40′

Virgil van Dijk and company welcomed Greece to Philips Stadion and had their eyes on all three points to stay within reach of the European championships.

Marten De Roon’s first international goal off a set-piece put the Oranje ahead early with their first attempt on target.

From then on, the hosts dominated the flow of the game and a brilliant team move allowed Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo to turn things 2-0.

A third eventually arrived when Wout Weghorst’s head connected on a cross for his first goal for club or country since March. Fans were brought to their feet while Greece were left scratching their heads.

Dutch goalkeeper Mark Flekken, however, was forced into a diving save just before half-time to keep a clean sheet.

The first half demolition was enough to move the Netherlands up into second in Group B as Greece sit third. The only worry for Koeman will be seeing Nathan Aké taken off thanks to an apparent injury.

Late Lewy heroics saves Poland

Scorer: Lewandowski 73′ (P), 83′

All eyes were on lethal striker Robert Lewandowski to bag a couple of goals on Thursday, but the Barcelona star needed some late luck against the Faroe Islands.

A late brace (the opener from the penalty spot) ensured Poland sit third in Group E but the performance may leave fans puzzled about what went wrong over 90 minutes.

The hosts finished with 19 and 72% possession of the ball, but little to show for it.

Faroe Islands, meanwhile, remain bottom of the group.

Denmark dominate San Marino

Scorer: Højbjerg 26′, Mæhle 28′, Wind 40′, Poulssen 90+3′

Goals were expected in Denmark as Christian Eriksen and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg looked to steer the hosts past San Marino and up in Group H’s standings.

The Tottenham star got things underway and demonstrated his club woes haven’t transmitted to international duty after volleying home a team move in the box.

In the blink of an eye, Joakim Mæhle then doubled the lead for Denmark before Jonas Wind ensured the hosts would be in cruise control by the break.

An initial fourth was ruled on late in the second half, but Eriksen wanted to ensure he walked away with a hat-trick of assists as he teed up Yussuf Poulsen for 4-0 at the death.

Impressively, Denmark had 32 shots alongside 85% possession of the ball and sit second in Group H while San Marino are last.

Szobo leads Hungary turnaround

Scorers: Szalai 10′ (OG); Varga 34′ Orban3 6′

Over at Red Star stadium, the top two teams in Group G went head-to-head with the visitors retaining the top spot and an unbeaten record.

An early breakthrough arrived at the hands of the hosts when Dusan Vlahovic forced Attila Szalai to put the ball into his own net.

However, the visitors would make up for their early wobble as Liverpool star Dominik Szoboszlai captained Hungary to an admirable turnaround with a formidable midfield display.

Eventually, Barnábas Varga instinctually redirected a loose ball home just before the break before Willi Orban piled misery on a frustrated Serbia – who had zero shots on target after 40 minutes.

Despite the entire second half ahead, 15 shots to nine and majority possession, the hosts couldn’t find a way back into the game through Dusan Tadic, Sergej Milinković-Savić and others.

Elsewhere…

More action continues on Friday and Saturday. Buckle up!