GENEVA (AP) – Killian Mbappe returns to World Cup action on Friday, scoring again, this time France wins.
France has opened the qualifying group for the 2026 World Cup, beating Ukraine 2-0 in Neutral Poland. It was Les Bruce and Mbappe’s first game. His hat trick in that epic The loss was when Lionel Messi and Argentina defended the champions in the 2022 final.
Mbappé used her pace and skill to eliminate Ukrainian defender Illia Zabarnyi in the 82nd minute to extend the lead acquired by Michael Oris on the 10th, navigating the toughest of France’s six qualifying group games.
“We had a lot of losses, so it’s very good to start a qualifying campaign with this victory,” French coach Didier Deschamps told broadcaster TF1.
Also in the group, Iceland won 5-0 against Azerbaijan at home, then went to Paris, where he played France on Tuesday.
Mbappé never played in the World Cup where Italy qualifies, and the four-time champions brought Estonia a 5-0 home victory, as they attempted to end their absence from the stage, their biggest since 2014.
Italy avoided losing more ground to group leader Norway, who didn’t play on Friday, but it took him to the 20th goal attempt and 58 minutes to break the deadlock through Moys Keene’s header. In the same group, Israel won Moldova 4-0.
Switzerland and Greece started quickly in their qualifying campaigns, competing for a four-goal lead at halftime.
Switzerland finished as a 4-0 winner in Kosovo, while Greece defeated Belarus 5-1.
Sweden was glued twice to a 2-2 draw in Slovenia – it reached its second level on the 90th – Liverpool Records New Signature Alexander Isaac On the bench after the start of the season was delayed.
Croatia, a finalist and semi-finalist beaten in the last two World Cups, has won three consecutive games, just 1-0, in the Faroe Islands. The Czech Republic, which leads the group, won Montenegro 2-0.
Denmark was held 0-0 at home by Scotland in the group currently leading by Greece.
Only the first-ranked teams in the 12 European Qualifying Groups in November will advance directly to the US, Canada and Mexico final tournaments. Runner Up will go to the playoff bracket in March.
Mbappé’s back
His 51st career goal in France tied the total of Thierry Henry’s career in less than 32 games. Only 57 Olivier Girouds have.
“Big up, titi. But I want to pass you now,” Mbappé said. “No, that’s an honor.”
This goal was made in Real Madrid. Mbappé took a long pass from France’s deep half by his club’s teammate Auréli ent Tchouaméni, outperforming new Paris Saint-Germain signature Illia Zabarnyi.
2 minutes ago, Zabarnyi’s club teammate Ousmane Dembélé limped Just 12 days before PSG began defending the Champions League title, what appeared to be a correct hamstring injury. Dembele lasted less than 35 minutes on the French wing after moving on to the second half.
France survived in the wild for two minutes midway through the second half. Ibrahima Konate’s header from under the crossbar stopped the loop header of Artem Dovbyk, which levelled the score, and Ukraine attacked the French goal post.
The shot across the goal mass deviated from Zabarini’s longest standing in front of the goal, and the ball rebounded safely and violently.
Ukraine staged the game in neutral Poland in Wroclau due to security concerns at home during a complete military invasion by Russia.
Italy makes a catch up
In the first game of new coach Gennaro Gattuso, Luciano Spalletti’s firing The outstanding midfielder at the 2006 World Cup appeared to be facing another embarrassment at the World Cup in Azzuri’s qualifying round.
Italy finally defeated the resistance of Estonian goalkeeper Karl Jacob Hein.
Argentine-born forward Mateo Letegui returned to his home at Atalanta Stadium last season to get 2-0, earning two seconds in the closing minutes.
Italy plays Israel in Neutral Hungary on Monday, a day before Norway hosts Moldova in an effort to win its fifth victory. One guaranteed ticket to North America next year could still be decided on November 16th at Italy’s No Way in Milan.
Flying Switzerland
The finely balanced qualifying group began with the first half defeat of Swiss tricky Kosovo opponents, with Slovenia and Sweden bouncing off one another in Ljubljana.
Manuel Akanji sped up in the corner and led the opening goal on the 22nd. And Brier Embolo’s two goals in Basel were a skilled back heel flick just before halftime. The impressive 2024 European Championship Quarterfinalists are once again cool.
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