Giroud and Mbappé score as France beats Gibraltar 3-0 in Euro qualifying
France's Olivier Giroud smiles after scoring the opening goal during the Euro 2024 group B qualifying soccer match between Gibraltar and France, at the Algarve Stadium outside Faro, Portugal, Friday, June 16, 2023. Credit: AP/Joao Matos
FARO, Portugal — Strikers Olivier Giroud and Kylian Mbappé were on target as France won at Gibraltar 3-0 to maintain its perfect start to European Championship qualifying on Friday.
Giroud headed home after just three minutes from right winger Kingsley Coman's cross to notch a record-extending 54th goal for World Cup runner-up France.
After forward Antoine Griezmann went close with a low shot, Mbappé slotted in a penalty in first-half injury time to make it 2-0 at the 30,000-capacity Estádio Algarve in Faro, and reach 39 goals for Les Bleus.
It put Mbappé just two behind fellow great Michel Platini, who is fourth on France's all-time scoring list.
A second-half own goal from Gibraltar made it 3-0.
France hosts Greece, running second in Group B, at Stade de France on Monday.
Greece beat Ireland 2-1 at home on Friday.
France's Kylian Mbappe scores his side's second goal from the penalty spot during the Euro 2024 group B qualifying soccer match between Gibraltar and France, at the Algarve Stadium outside Faro, Portugal, Friday, June 16, 2023. Credit: AP/Joao Matos
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