Kylian Mbappe struck twice when France crushed South Africa 5-0 on Tuesday night to register their second victory in the international break.
Mbappe, who missed Friday night’s 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast due to an ear infection, made his debut in the 23rd minute at Stade Pierre Mauroy in Lille.
The Paris Saint-Germain striker screwed his shot from the left side of the penalty area over South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams and into the net.
Ten minutes later, Olivier Giroud doubled the advantage and scored his 48th goal for France.
Mbappe struck a 30 meter free kick home 75 minutes into the match. 6 – 0 for the home team. It was the 23-year-old’s 26th goal for his country in his 54th appearance.
Wissam Ben Yedder knocked home the fourth after Paul Pogba headed Mbappes in the middle of his path and Mbappe set up Matteo Guendozi for his first international goal to round off the match.
“I had a good time,” Mbappe told French TV channel TF1. “We played well and getting two wins in the last few days is good too.”
France coach Didier Deschamps added: “It was a good match. The players enjoyed and entertained the fans. They are happy and so am I.”
While France walked – guaranteed their qualification for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar – a number of European and African sides fought for the last remaining places via the playoffs.
Combat
In the African qualifier, Senegal advanced after a penalty shootout against Egypt. The match at Abdoulaye Wade Stadium in Dakar ended 1-0 to the hosts.
With the total result 1-1, a 30 minute extra time was played.
But neither side could find the winning goal.
And just like in the Africa Cup of Nations final in Cameroon, Senegal claimed the penalty thanks to Sadio Mane’s goal kick.
Ghana atoned for their disastrous campaign in the Cup of Nations. The Black Stars drew 1-1 with Nigeria in Abuja to advance according to the away goal rule.
Thomas Partey scored for the visitors in the 11th minute and although Nigeria’s skipper William Troost-Ekong equalized halfway through the first half, the hosts were unable to break down the Ghana hill.
In Casablanca, Morocco defeated the Democratic Republic of Congo 4-1 to advance 5-2 overall and Tunisia played a draw against Mali in Radès to qualify thanks to their 1-0 victory on Friday in Bamako.
In Europe, Portugal defeated Italy’s conqueror Northern Macedonia 2-0. Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes scored in each half to guide Fernando Santos’ men to the final.
Poland removed Sweden by the same score.
Source: sn.dk