Kylian Mbappe’s goal helped France maintain their unblemished record in Euro 2024 qualifying Group B with a 1-0 home victory over Greece, who concluded with 10 men after a late red card on Monday.
Mbappe scored a penalty kick in the second half to surpass Just Fontaine’s record of 54 goals scored for club and country in a single season, set in 1957-58.
It also allowed the Paris St. Germain forward to draw level with Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, who will have an opportunity to finish as the highest scorer in the five major European competitions if Norway defeat Cyprus on Tuesday.
The outcome put France in first place with 12 points, six clear of second-placed Greece, who had Konstantinos Mavropanos sent off in the 69th minute following Mbappe’s penalty strike in the 55th minute.
“It was a long season for the players,” said Didier Deschamps, France’s head coach. We did what we had to do to win this game, even if we lament not scoring another goal because anything can happen in the final minutes.
“We wanted to build on our victory against Gibraltar in front of our home fans,” said midfielder Eduardo Camavinga of France’s 3-0 victory over Gibraltar on Friday.
“We anticipated they would be a difficult opponent, but we were able to secure three points without conceding a goal. Now, directly to the festivities!”
Randal Kolo Muani had an obvious opportunity in the 25th minute when his downward header off Mbappe’s cross just missed the target.
Following earlier chances for Mbappe and Kingsley Coman, the offensive triumvirate ran into a brick wall.
Les Bleus had another opportunity to score, but Jules Kounde’s volley was deflected away by Odysseas Vlachodimos. Les Bleus had previously had three penalty claims denied.
Early in the second half, the home team was awarded a penalty after Mavropanos struck Antoine Griezmann in the head while he attempted to connect with a cross from the left.
Mbappe’s penalty shot was saved by Vlachodimos, but it had to be taken again because the goalkeeper had vacated the goal line too early.
Mbappe scored his 40th goal in his 70th international match on his second attempt, and Greece’s prospects were further destroyed when Mavropanos was shown a straight red card for bringing down Kolo Muani, who was advancing on goal.
With their victory over Gibraltar on Saturday, France have now scored nine goals and maintained a clean sheet in all four qualifying matches.
They face third-placed Ireland, who have three points from three games, at home on September 7, while Greece travel to fourth-placed Netherlands, who have three points from two games.