Kylian Mbappe bagged a brace in his first game as France captain as the World Cup finalists began their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with a comfortable win against the Netherlands.
France were two-nil up within the first ten minutes after Antoine Griezmann curled in from Mbappe’s pass in the second minute and Dayot Upamecano bundled in a second in the eighth minute.
There were no signs of friction between Mbappe and Greizmann as they celebrated Mbappe’s first of the night in the 21st minute – his 37th goal for the Les Bleus.
The Paris St-Germain striker’s second two minutes from time was a stunning solo effort as he left the Dutch players falling over in an attempt to block his shot before thumping a finish into the bottom corner.
Memphis Depay had the chance of a consolation deep in stoppage time for the visitors, but his penalty was saved.
Ronald Koeman’s sart to his second spell as Netherlands boss was quite frustrating and his cause was not helped by a flu virus that led to five players being sent home on the eve of the game.
Defenders Matthijs de Ligt and Sven Botman, forward Cody Gakpo, midfielder Joey Veerman and goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen had all contracted the illness.