Kylian Mbappe scored the final goal and Thomas Lemar fired twice for France in a 4-0 win over 10-man Netherlands in a World Cup qualifier.
Antoine Griezmann put France ahead within 14 minutes at the Stade de France before Kevin Strootman’s sending-off led to the Dutch team being reduced to ten men. Thomas Lemar scored twice, while Mbappe capped an already memorable day by netting his first international goal for the country.
The Frenchman looked vastly superior against the visitors, and appear to be firmly back on track in their quest to make it to Russia next year, following their shock 2-1 defeat in Sweden in June. This result, along with Sweden’s 3-2 defeat in Bulgaria, leaves Les Bleus three points clear at the top of qualifying Group A.
The Netherlands, on the other hand, are now in a battle even to finish second and grab a place in the two-legged play-offs in November. Dick Advocaat’s side are fourth, three points behind second-placed Sweden with three qualifiers remaining. THT takes a look at some of the best tweets:
Olivier Giroud assist ?️
Antoine Griezmann goal ⚽️France take a 1-0 lead against Netherlands. pic.twitter.com/J8JDWeytMN
— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) August 31, 2017
France vs Netherlands!
Absolute domination ?? pic.twitter.com/bYgENAb2YK— MELO (@Xmaro15) September 1, 2017
???| Thomas Lemar (21) has just scored his first international goal for France against The Netherlands! pic.twitter.com/asXIQXT1Dx
— Footy Scouted (@FootyScouted) August 31, 2017
Pogba vs Blind. ?
Who is Best Dancer?
#MUFC #FRANED #WCQ2018 #WCQualifiers pic.twitter.com/dlAKRA7uXf
— Fantasy Gamer ? ⚽? (@Fantasycrickett) September 1, 2017
Thomas Lemar vs Netherlands #FRANED
2 goals
81 touches
3 shots
55 passes
98% pass accuracy
1 key passMan of the match performance! pic.twitter.com/sskWsDRlvK
— FootballTalentScout (@FTalentScout) August 31, 2017
Quite obviously, most of the tweets centered around the explosive performances put up by Mbappe, Lemar and Lacazette.
Mbappe did this tonight#FRANEDpic.twitter.com/eZqdDrM1CK
— Still Need a CM (@InvertdWhinger) August 31, 2017
Thomas Lemar has just scored this screamer against Holland with Arsene Wenger in attendance. ? #FRANED pic.twitter.com/WrprfE7xF0
— Ryan ? (@ClassicCantona) August 31, 2017
What a finish from Lemar, unbelievable tekkers ???. Can see why teams are after him, looks a quality player #FRANED #WorldCupQualifiers pic.twitter.com/qmynPGUyGD
— Raphael Wilson (@RaphsReality2) August 31, 2017
GOAL! #France 2-0 #Netherlands. #Lemar cracks a stunning shot from the edge of the box into the top corner. Brilliant. #FRANED
— Robin Bairner (@RBairner) August 31, 2017
A lot of praise was also showered on the young Timothy Fosu-Mensah for his resolute performance.
Timothy Fosu-Mensah might be on loan but he's still reminding Antoine Griezmann of his mistake not to become teammates this summer. Boss. pic.twitter.com/O31d5DMrsW
— Adam Joseph (@AdamJosephSport) September 1, 2017
We keep fighting @OnsOranje pic.twitter.com/P22JaqiHTY
— Timothy fosu-mensah (@tfosumensah) August 31, 2017
Timothy Fosu-Mensah v Paul Pogba. Theres only one winner ? pic.twitter.com/ID1KpjruCY
— Simpatisan United (@SimpatisanUtd) August 31, 2017
Manchester United loanee Timothy Fosu-Mensah impresses on Holland debut despite drubbing in France https://t.co/Xp3sZVGIGH pic.twitter.com/a1JtJLJdsS
— MailOnline Sport (@MailSport) September 1, 2017
Timothy Fosu-Mensah showed how much he has come on in just a month last night #mufc https://t.co/4EzvJQfvy4 pic.twitter.com/aOe5KklbzY
— Man United News (@ManUtdMEN) September 1, 2017
Fosu-Mensah made the most tackles (9) on the pitch for Holland vs France – next highest was 4. He also made the most blocks (2) @jb_8521) pic.twitter.com/9hcMv9vXkh
— José (@MourinhoMindset) August 31, 2017
The Dutch fans were in a more sombre state of mind as they took to Twitter to express their feelings.
Good thing Cruyff doesn't have to watch the current Barça and the Netherlands in this state…
— Josip (@jperkovic93) August 31, 2017
Not sure whether to be more impressed by France or depressed by the Netherlands.
— Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl) August 31, 2017
How did the Dutch get this bad? Still some good names on the sheet, but France…sensational
— Glenn Moore (@GlennMoore7) August 31, 2017
Twice now Fosu-Mensah has made goal-saving tackles. Netherlands a shambles but he's having a fine debut. #mufc
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) August 31, 2017
?? The Netherlands are in disarray.
? It's a far cry from this era of world class players from the late 1990s.
? What a team. pic.twitter.com/X5oteDXDFX
— Sky Sports FF (@SkyFantasyFooty) September 1, 2017