France's midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni (L) celebrates with teammate Kylian Mbappe after scoring a goal against Ireland during the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifier at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, France, September 7, 2023. /CFP
France took a giant stride towards the Euro 2024 finals as they maintained their perfect qualifying record with a 2-0 home victory over Ireland on Thursday.
Playing at the Parc des Princes to preserve the Stade de France pitch for Friday's Rugby World Cup opener between France and New Zealand, Les Bleus prevailed thanks to goals by Aurelien Tchouameni and Marcus Thuram in a one-sided match.
Their fifth win in as many games strengthened their lead in Group B with a maximum 15 points, nine ahead of the Netherlands, who beat Greece 3-0 and have played two fewer matches.
"I can't complain. We're not qualified yet but so far it's been a good campaign. It was not always easy to find the solutions and we could have scored more goals," coach Didier Deschamps said.
Christian Eriksen (#10) of Denmark and Roberto Di Maio of San Marino talk after their match during the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifier at Parken in Copenhagen, Denmark, September 7, 2023. /CFP
In Group H, Denmark playmaker Christian Eriksen put on a passing masterclass in his side's 4-0 win over San Marino on Thursday, scoring one goal and creating two more as his side cruised to an easy victory over the visitors.
Eriksen was denied the chance to break the deadlock from the spot 20 minutes in when a penalty decision was overturned by VAR, but the Danes soon took the lead through Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
The combative midfielder allowed a clever pass from Jonas Wind to run across his body before rattling home a right-footed shot to open the scoring in the 26th minute.
The second goal came two minutes later when Eriksen wrong-footed the San Marino defence with a sublime backheel into the path of the onrushing Joakim Maehle, who took the ball past the keeper and slotted home a simple finish.
Making his 123rd appearance for Denmark, Eriksen notched up his second assist in the 40th minute, teeing up striker Wind to score, and he finally got on the scoresheet himself in second-half stoppage time as a speculative cross caught San Marino keeper Elia Benedettini napping.
That goal was originally credited to substitute Yussuf Poulsen but UEFA's website was later updated, awarding the goal to Eriksen to round off a superb evening for the 31-year-old.
The victory moves Denmark to second in the group on 10 points after five games, two behind leaders Finland and ahead of third-placed Slovenia on goal difference.
(With input from Reuters)