Final result Gibraltar vs France (0-3)
Score: Giroud 3′, Mbappe pen 45’+3, Mouelhi owns 78′
France launched the strongest squad, although Gibraltar only ranked 201 FIFA. The World Cup 2022 runner-up soon dominated, controlling the ball 82% and finishing 24 times. The match took place in Faro, Portugal, because Gibraltar’s home ground was not eligible to host.
In the third minute, France opened the scoring. After Kingsley Coman’s cross, Olivier Giroud headed from six yards into the net of goalkeeper Dayle Coleing. The 36-year-old striker raised the scoring record for France to 54 goals, three more than Thierry Henry.
Under French pressure, Gibraltar only finished three times and never directed the goal. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Coleing’s goal became a target for French players to practice shooting. Had it been more precise, the World Cup runners-up could have scored twice as many goals.
In the third minute of injury time of the first half, Mbappe increased the score to 2-0. The 24-year-old striker successfully completed the penalty, after touching the ball in the penalty area by Roy Chipolina. This is Mbappe’s 39th goal for “Les Bleus”.
France continued to dominate in the second half, but the finish was ineffective. The opportunities passed through the toes of Giroud, Mbappe, Griezmann, Dembele and Muani in turn. It was not until the 78th minute that France sealed the victory. Mbappe passes the ball and Mouelhi owns an own goal of Gibraltar.
With the victory over the bottom team, France continues to lead Group B in the Euro 2024 qualifying round. Mbappe and his teammates have nine points and a difference of 8-0 after three matches. Greece ranked second with six points, but played one game less. The Netherlands ranked third with three points after two games. Ireland and Gibraltar have no points yet.
Two previous matches, France beat the Netherlands 4-0 and Ireland 1-0. Coach Didier Deschamps’ teachers and students have not dropped points and conceded a goal since losing to Argentina in the penalty shootout of the 2022 World Cup final. On June 19, France will take on Greece.