France 1-0 Greece: Kylian Mbappe’s record 54th goal of season decides Euro 2024 qualifier in Paris

Kylian Mbappe marked his 70th France cap with his 40th goal as France beat 10-man Greece 1-0 in Paris to continue their perfect start to Euro 2024 qualifying.

The French skipper was relieved to see a re-take ordered for encroachment after having a penalty saved early in the second half, and he made no mistake with his second effort.

Greece’s brave resistance ended when Konstantinos Mavropanos was sent off with 20 minutes to go but they remain second in Group B, six points behind a French side that has won four from four and is yet to concede a goal in qualifying.

Mbappe’s strike was his 54th of the season for club and country, setting a new French record for a single season above the legendary Just Fontaine.

France flew out of the blocks and created a flurry of early chances, but Greece managed to weather the storm and grew into the game, even creating a couple of speculative efforts of their own.

But the better opportunities fell to the hosts, with Mbappe volleying over, Randal Kolo Muani heading wide from 12 yards and Jules Kounde having a point-blank volley saved.

Mbappe also had three penalty appeals turned down before the break by Spanish referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz, who showed no leniency in the final match of his decorated career.

Lahoz was heavily involved early in the second half for the defining moment of the match, giving a spot-kick and booking Mavropanos for a high boot on Antoine Griezmann, before ordering a re-take to hand Mbappe a reprieve after his initial effort was well saved.

Mavropanos eventually got his marching orders for barging over Kolo Muani when he was clean through on goal, but the steely Greek defence held firm with 10 men to deny their illustrious hosts a more comfortable victory.

Talking point – France ferocious at both ends

Mbappe will inevitably soak up most of the attention after his record-breaking goal tonight. But for all France’s rich stocks of attacking talent – Ousmane Dembele, Olivier Giroud, Christopher Nkunku and Marcus Thuram were among their bench options – their defence has been exceptional thus far in qualifying.

After four games, Les Bleus’ backline are yet to concede a goal, and they are the only side to have played that many matches who boast that record. It’s not all about the attacking stardust.

Player of the match – Kylian Mbappe

Greece can pat themselves on the back for their efforts to shackle the PSG flyer, but he kept coming back for more. Often surrounded by defenders, Mbappe was a livewire throughout and although he will be marked down for missing his initial penalty, he showed terrific nerve to step up for the re-take and stick it in the top corner. A night to remember for this outstanding 24-year-old, as he took Fontaine’s single-season goal record.

Player ratings

France: Maignan 7; Kounde 7, Upamecano 7, Konate 7, T. Hernandez 7; Camavinga 8, Tchouameni 7, Griezmann 7; Coman 7, Kolo Muani 6, Mbappe 8

Subs: Dembele 7, Giroud 6, Nkunku 6

Greece: Vlachodimos 7; Baldock 7, Mavropanos 5, Hatzidiakos 7, Tsimikas 7; Siopis 6, Kourbelis 7, Bakasetas 6; Masouras 6, Giakoumakis 6, Mantalos 7

Subs: Pavlidis 6, Fountas 6, Koulierakis 6, Retsos 6, Bouchalakis 6

Match highlights

45’ BIG FRANCE CHANCE!

That’s their biggest chance yet! A superb ball to the back post finds Kounde six yards from goal, but the right-back’s volley is parried away by Vlachodimos.That could’ve been the moment…

50’ PENALTY TO FRANCE!

Mavropanos is booked for a recklessly high foot, which catches Griezmann in the face. Spot kick to Les Bleus!

56’ GOAL! MBAPPE PUTS FRANCE AHEAD FROM THE SPOT

Incredible! Vlachodimos guesses the right way and palms Mbappe’s spot kick away from danger. However, VAR spots encroachment in the box and a re-take is ordered. Mbappe has a second crack at it, and this time makes no mistake as he sticks it in the top corner!

70’ MAVROPANOS SENT OFF!

He got away with one earlier, but this time he won’t. The big centre-back ends up in a foot race with Kolo Muani on the counter and barges him over. Out comes the second yellow, and Greece are down to 10 men!

Key stat

• Mbappe becomes the top French scorer in a single season, for club and country combined. He surpasses Just Fontaine with his 54th strike
• Kylian Mbappé has scored his 40th goal for France, becoming the fifth player to reach this mark but the first one to do so before his 30 years old (24 years, 5 months and 30 days).