CHISINAU • France coach Didier Deschamps believes that his world champions could have inflicted a heavier defeat on Moldova, despite a convincing 4-1 victory to kick off their opening Euro 2020 qualifying campaign on Friday.
Antoine Griezmann scored one and set up another as World Cup winners France easily beat Moldova in Chisinau in the Group H match.
The Atletico Madrid attacker opened the scoring in the 24th minute before crossing for Raphael Varane to double the advantage three minutes later.
Olivier Giroud then equalled David Trezeguet as Les Bleus' third-highest scorer of all time with his 34th international goal nine minutes before the break.
Kylian Mbappe completed the rout with three minutes left, before Vladimir Ambros claimed a late consolation for Moldova.
"We could have scored more," said Deschamps. "But these matches are still complicated.
"My players handled the game the right way. We did not fall into any trap.
"The goal conceded does not take anything from our good game. It was a potentially tricky match but we did what we had to.
"We did not give Moldova time to organise and to get back, and we have to keep it that way."
Left-back Layvin Kurzawa was the only member of the starting line-up without a World Cup medal.
Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman pulled out during the warm-up with a muscle issue and was replaced by Blaise Matuidi.
"We've opened our campaign well and the second game comes around quickly," Deschamps added ahead of facing Iceland at the Stade de France tomorrow. "In three days we have do it again."
Meanwhile, European champions Portugal were held to a 0-0 draw in Lisbon by Ukraine in their opening qualifier as talisman Cristiano Ronaldo returned for the first time since the World Cup.
Ukraine's veteran goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov kept Portugal at bay with several fine saves in the first hour, before the hosts ran out of ideas in the Group B game.
"The team had some good moments and some difficult moments," said Portugal coach Fernando Santos, whose side have a tough match at home to Serbia tomorrow.
"We failed to take three or four chances in the first half.
"Now we have to unwind and think about Serbia.
"It's a bit of a blow to our morale but the players will get over it."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
Liverpool set to earn almost £150 million after second-placed finish in Premier League to the Champions League final, with victory over Tottenham in Madrid of the domestic and overseas TV
Liverpool's record with Champions League final referee will
Their title credentials will face a stiff examination in December, when they take on Manchester United and Arsenal in successive games. As for the new boys, they face a tough Boxing Day
Spokeo | People Search
David is one who likes to play games and I will have chats with him and he will respond in the right way." Asked if he should have dropped De Gea for the game, Solskjaer said to BBC Sport: "No
David de Gea: A world class goalkeeper making mistakes - not
Tomorrow is not to rest players, but to take best decision after the big victory over Manchester City. The massive risk is how we are going to approach the game tomorrow. We have a lot of player who played 90 minutes who are not in a condition to play tomorrow.
Milan risk European ban as UEFA order another Financial Fair Pay probe Milan risk being excluded from European competition next season. Milan risk being excluded from European competition next season after UEFA on Thursday ordered another probe be carried out into the Italian club for breaches of Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations.
AC Milan risk European ban as UEFA order another Financial
Home » News » Sports » 'I made a mistake': Pochettino takes blame but slams 'sloppy' Spurs 'I made a mistake': Pochettino takes blame but slams 'sloppy' Spurs. says Fernandinho.
'I made a mistake': Pochettino takes blame but slams 'sloppy
Premier League » News » Spurs shine to hit Everton for six
Declan Rice's first West Ham goal secured a 1-0 win over Arsenal in a capital city derby clash at the London Stadium. The victory in Saturday's early kick-off saw the Hammers move up to eighth in
Football: Rice scores first Hammers goal to defeat Arsenal
Jurgen Klopp dismisses talk of Liverpool crumbling under pressure Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp says his team have shown they are mentally equipped to handle a title run-in, having acquitted themselves well in high-pressure situations over the past few years.
Klopp dismisses talk of Liverpool crumbling under pressure
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino fears Harry Kane could miss the rest of the season with an ankle injury sustained against Manchester City. The striker had to be helped down the tunnel by Spurs
Jurgen Klopp labels Liverpool's Barcelona defeat as 'best away Champions League performance' Klopp also praises "unstoppable" Lionel Messi while Andy Robertson and Virgil van Dijk call Messi "the
Why Klopp is to blame for Painful UCL finals defeat - Thewistle
Antoine Griezmann struck again as Atletico Madrid kept the pressure on Barcelona at the top of La Liga by beating in-form Getafe 2-0 on Saturday. Griezmann now has eight goals in as many games
La Liga: Griezmann on target again as Atletico Madrid edge
Iker Casillas 'cannot play football again' after heart attack in training "He's well, calm, following the medical protocols that have been set" Sara Carbonero. His wife, journalist Sara Carbonero, issued an update on Casillas' condition from hospital. She said: "He's well, calm, following the medical protocols that have been set.
Iker Casillas says he is improving, his heart is 'content
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen