France strengthened its lead in Group Two of the Euro 2024 qualifiers, to be held in Germany next summer, by defeating Gibraltar 3-0, on Friday, in the third round competitions that witnessed a wide victory for the English team over its Maltese host, 4-0. , leading the third group.
This is the third consecutive victory for the world champion in the group, after defeating the Netherlands 4-0 and Ireland 1-0, raising France to 9 points at the top of the group.
Greece ranks second and has 6 points, after its 2-1 victory over Ireland on Friday, compared to 3 points for the Netherlands, and the balance of Ireland and Gibraltar remains empty so far.
France advanced through Olivier Giroud in the third minute, before Kylian Mbappe added the second goal from a penalty kick in the third minute of calculated time instead of lost for the first half.
France advances with an early goal through Giroud#European _ Nations _ Qualifiers#EuroQualifiers pic.twitter.com/hKJ0gdzJj7
– beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) June 16, 2023
In the 78th minute, Ayman Moelhi scored the third goal for the French national team by mistake, against his country, Gibraltar.
England sweeps Malta
England tightened its grip on the top of Group C in the European qualifiers, by defeating Malta 4-0, in a match that witnessed the brilliance of Trent Alexander-Arnold in the first international meeting that he played as a starter in one year.
The Liverpool full-back, who played in midfield, scored one goal and was involved in two more goals before the break.
In the eighth minute, he played a pass to Bukayo Saka, who played a low cross that Ferdinando Abab accidentally scored in his own net under pressure from Harry Kane.
“Friendly Fire” gives the England team the lead at the expense of Malta#European _ Nations _ Qualifiers#EuroQualifiers pic.twitter.com/noQz4ln7yq
– beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) June 16, 2023
Alexander-Arnold scored the second goal with a right-footed shot in the 28th minute, and he also participated in the attack from which Kane got a penalty kick, which scored his 56th goal for England in the 31st minute.
Arnold enhances the progress of the England team#European _ Nations _ Qualifiers#EuroQualifiers pic.twitter.com/QLBx6n0Rr7
– beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) June 16, 2023
Malta’s performance improved in the second half, but it was unlucky and received the fourth goal from a penalty kick scored by substitute Callum Wilson in the 83rd minute.
With this, England reached the ninth point from 3 matches, while Ukraine, Italy and North Macedonia achieved 3 points each from two matches. Malta is bottom of the standings without points after 3 matches.
