Kylian Mbappe has finally ended his worrisome goal drought after scoring a brace against Netherlands in European Championship qualifying match. His brace ensured Les Bleus got a 2-1 victory against The Oranje.
Kylian Mbappe goal against Netherlands on Friday, October 13
Mbappe wasted no time as he opened the scoring in the 7th minute with a somewhat acrobatic finish off a sleek cross from the edge of the 18-yard box off the foot of teammate Jonathan Clauss.
The PSG forward soon added a second in the 53rd minute, pouncing on a loose ball just at the edge of the box, firing straight to the top right corner of the net, Bart Verbruggen who was in between the sticks for Netherlands was caught completely off guard and he was no match for the finish.
There were concerns over Mbappe’s form coming into the match, and it was not so certain if he would start as he recently recovered from an ankle injury.
However, the Dutch had a squad debilitated with injuries, so the French side had the upper hand. Mbappe also boasts of a good goal scoring record against the Netherlands.
France continue imperious run in Euro Championship qualifiers
The 2-1 victory ensured Didier Deschamps’ side continued their flawless European Championship qualifying campaign, six wins out of six and also their qualification for EURO 2024 with two games to spare.
Kylian Mbappé’s longest ever goal drought in five years was put to an end, a streak of four matches without scoring.
He lost goal sight after he converted a penalty in PSG’s 2-0 win against Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League.
Four matches on the trot, he went without scoring – a 4-0 win against Marseille, the barren draw vs Clermont Foot, then the scandalous 4-1 defeat to Newcastle United and lastly the most recent 3-1 win over Stade Rennais.
The 24-year-old’s brace saw him hit new milestones in the book of records. Firstly, he became the fourth all-time top scorer in the history of Les Bleus with 42 goals in 72 appearances, surpassing Michel Platini who was on 41 goals.
Kylian Mbappe closing in on becoming France’s highest goalscorer
It is quite mind-blowing, at just 24 with 42 goals, only Olivier Giroud (54), Thierry Henry who is inactive (51) and Antoine Griezmann (44) have scored more goals for France men’s team than Kylian Mbappé.
Becoming France’s all-time top scorer is a feasible target for the 24-year-old, as he is just 12 goals shy of Olivier Giroud’s 54.
Furthermore, Mbappe also became the first player since Marcel Desailly in 1999 to win each of his first six matches as the France National Team captain from kick-off.
Mbappe would be looking forward to giving a 10/10 performance in France’s next match, a friendly against Scotland as he’s just two goals away from equalling Antoine Griezmann’s record of 44 goals.
After the international break, he resumes to Paris Saint-Germain, hopefully he keeps his scoring boots on and rides on the fine form he’s picked again.
His fine start to the season with seven goals in four matches ensures he’s still the highest goalscorer in the French Ligue 1.
