Euro 2024 Round-Up: Belgium, Portugal and Mbappe-Inspired France Reach Final

by Mohamed A. mohamedali

Qualification for Euro 2024 has reached its final phase, making October's international break all-important for qualifying nations.

PSG star Mbappe put France in control as Didier Deschamps' side defeated the Netherlands. He hit an acrobatic volley off Jonathan Clauss' cross before extending their advantage eight minutes into the second half with a curled strike.

Belgium 3-2 Austria

Unbeaten Belgium held on to win against Austria 3-2 at Vienna to become the first team to qualify for Euro 2024 finals next year in Germany. They led through Dodi Lukebakio's first international goals and Romelu Lukaku before Konrad Laimer and Marcel Sabitzer scored. Amadou Onana was dismissed in the 79th minute for collecting his second yellow card.

Domenico Tedesco's side currently lead Sweden by seven points in Group F with four games remaining, but they hope Kevin De Bruyne and several City stars may feature for Belgium at this tournament and further extend their advantage as qualifying progresses.

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Ronald Koeman started off poorly in his new position as Netherlands manager with a 4-0 loss against France, as both Antoine Griezmann and Dayot Upamecano scored as France made it seven wins out of seven qualifiers in Group J.

Portugal 3-2 Slovakia

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice to help Portugal qualify for Euro 2024 following a 3-2 win over Slovakia at Estadio do Dragao. Goncalo Ramos opened scoring from an excellent Bruno Fernandes cross, before Ronaldo doubled Portugal's advantage from a penalty spot after injury to Slovakia defender David Hancko.

Hosts appeared to have secured victory as conditions worsened with heavy rainfall, but Hancko's deflected strike gave hope to visitors before Stanislav Lobotka scored an outstanding long-range goal to provide some respite from their hosts' dominance.

Ralf Rangnick's Austria thrashed Azerbaijan 5-0 and took three points clear at the top of Group B with Denmark sitting behind on four. Scotland, who were stunned 2-0 by Stephen Kenny's side at Glasgow last time out, are on six after Stephen Kenny led them against Spain but will face tough tests from Greece and Netherlands in their remaining qualifiers.

France 2-1 Netherlands

Kylian Mbappe scored five goals to ensure France remained unbeaten during qualifying with an emphatic win against Netherlands side missing several key players. Paris Saint-Germain star Mbappe finished off a one-two with Adrien Rabiot before unleashing an exquisite effort high past Heerenveen goalkeeper Verbruggen.

Holland struggled to create any chances, failing to register a shot for Ronald Koeman's new-look team in this matchup at Johan Cruyff Arena. Ronald Koeman did get an opportunity to put his new system and players through its paces as Holland attempted late equalisers during an intense final period at Johan Cruyff Arena.

As they prepare for Euro 2024, Europe's heavyweights appear poised to dominate proceedings and create some unexpected stories. Qualifiers will compete to determine which four teams advance to join Germany - who have won three championships - as a favorite side in the finals.

Kylian Mbappe reaches a new milestone

Kylian Mbappe is fast establishing himself as one of the greatest players in modern football. Since joining Paris Saint-Germain last season, he has amassed one World Cup victory and five league championships to go with four Ligue 1 Player of the Year awards - making him an impressive four-time recipient.

With France's 2-1 win against the Netherlands in their Euro 2024 qualifier, Mbappe reached another milestone. Now scoring for both PSG and France, his total has now eclipsed that of former PSG teammate Edinson Cavani - and this feat exceeds him by 25 goals!

Mbappe opened up scoring for Les Bleus with an exquisite volley from Jonathan Clauss' pinpoint cross, before doubling their advantage from long range with another powerful shot of his own.

At 19-years-old striker is only three goals off France legend Michel Platini and five off Antoine Griezmann on France's national top scorers list; only 13 more goals separates him from overtaking Thierry Henry!