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Euro qualifiers: Mbappe shines as new France captain, Lukaku treble sees Belgium beat Sweden
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Kylian Mbappe of France celebrates after scoring a goal against the Netherlands during their Euro 2024 qualifier at the Stade de France in Paris, France, March 24, 2023. /CFP
Kylian Mbappe of France celebrates after scoring a goal against the Netherlands during their Euro 2024 qualifier at the Stade de France in Paris, France, March 24, 2023. /CFP

Kylian Mbappe of France celebrates after scoring a goal against the Netherlands during their Euro 2024 qualifier at the Stade de France in Paris, France, March 24, 2023. /CFP

New France captain Kylian Mbappe lived up to expectations with two goals in a 4-0 statement home win against the Netherlands as Les Bleus got their Euro 2024 Group B qualifying campaign started on Friday.

Mbappe, named skipper after Hugo Lloris ended his international career in January, set up Antoine Griezmann for the opener before scoring the third, after Dayot Upamecano had doubled the tally in a first-half blitz, before wrapping the scoring up late in front of an ecstatic crowd.

Mike Maignan, the number one goalkeeper since Lloris stepped aside, then saved Memphis Depay's stoppage-time penalty.

Memphis Depay of the Netherlands strikes a corner kick during the match against France at the Stade de France in Paris, France, March 24, 2023. /CFP
Memphis Depay of the Netherlands strikes a corner kick during the match against France at the Stade de France in Paris, France, March 24, 2023. /CFP

Memphis Depay of the Netherlands strikes a corner kick during the match against France at the Stade de France in Paris, France, March 24, 2023. /CFP

"It's great," said Mbappe. "We didn't want to concede a goal so everyone is happy. Mike doesn't like to concede goals and for his first time as number one he got a clean sheet.

"We're all behind him. We prepared ourselves saying we couldn't disappoint the fans for this first game here after the World Cup."

France lead Group B ahead of Greece, who beat Gibraltar 3-0 away. Didier Deschamps's side next face Ireland in Dublin on Monday while the Netherlands host Gibraltar.

Belgium's Romelu Lukaku (#10) and Sweden's Samuel Gustafsson fight for the ball their Euro 2024 qualifier at the Friends Arena in Solna, Sweden, March 24, 2023. /CFP
Belgium's Romelu Lukaku (#10) and Sweden's Samuel Gustafsson fight for the ball their Euro 2024 qualifier at the Friends Arena in Solna, Sweden, March 24, 2023. /CFP

Belgium's Romelu Lukaku (#10) and Sweden's Samuel Gustafsson fight for the ball their Euro 2024 qualifier at the Friends Arena in Solna, Sweden, March 24, 2023. /CFP

Also on Friday, Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku scored a hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Sweden which overshadowed Zlatan Ibrahimovic's much-anticipated return to international football in their opening Group F Euro 2024 qualifier.

The win at the Friends Arena gave new Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco the perfect start as his side sought to bounce back from a disappointing group-stage exit at the Qatar World Cup but Janne Andersson's Sweden posed little threat.

Swedish midfielder Dejan Kulusevski thought he had given the home side the lead in the 15th minute as he cut in from the right and drove a low shot through the legs of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois but Wout Faes was on hand to stop the ball crossing the line.

Lukaku broke the deadlock in the 35th minute, outjumping Hjalmar Ekdal to head home a cross from the left by Dodi Lukebakio, who had tormented the Sweden defense from the kickoff.

The Belgium striker then took advantage of more slack marking to double his side's advantage early in the second half as Lukebakio picked him out again with a low cross which he turned in from close range.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic (#11) of Sweden battles for the ball during the match at the Friends Arena in Solna, Sweden, March 24, 2023. /CFP
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (#11) of Sweden battles for the ball during the match at the Friends Arena in Solna, Sweden, March 24, 2023. /CFP

Zlatan Ibrahimovic (#11) of Sweden battles for the ball during the match at the Friends Arena in Solna, Sweden, March 24, 2023. /CFP

The introduction of 41-year-old Ibrahimovic in the 73rd minute after a long absence due to injury prompted an ear-splitting roar from the crowd.

Ibra's first touch of note came seven minutes later as he chested the ball down in the box but he lost his footing on the notoriously poor pitch at Sweden's national arena and the chance was snuffed out.

Three minutes later Lukaku killed the game off as the home defence suffered another collective collapse, leaving him with another tap-in to complete his treble and an easy win for the visitors.

(With input from Reuters)

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