Euro 2020 qualifiers: France turn on the style but Portugal held to draw

France turned on the style in their opening Euro 2020 qualifier, winning 4-1 in Moldova. Goals from Antoine Griezmann, Raphaël Varane, Olivier Giroud and Kylian Mbappé made it a comfortable victory for the world champions, with Vladimir Ambros scoring for the home side.

Paul Pogba’s exquisite ball over the top was volleyed home from close range by Griezmann, who turned provider three minutes later as his corner was headed home at the near post by Varane.

Giroud then moved to joint third on France’s all-time top scorers’ list, alongside David Trezeguet on 34 goals, after coolly volleying home Blaise Matuidi’s cross in the 36th minute. Mbappé got on the scoresheet three minutes from time after being teed up by Thomas Lemar.

Elsewhere in Group H, Burak Yilmaz and Hakan Calhanoglu scored as Turkey won 2-0 in Albania, while Iceland beat Andorra by the same scoreline, thanks to Birkir Bjarnason and Vidar Kjartansson.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal were frustrated by a dogged Ukraine in a 0-0 draw in Lisbon. Also in Group B, Leandro Barreiro and Gerson Rodrigues were on target as Luxembourg came from a goal down to defeat Lithuania 2-1.

England’s Group A rivals Bulgaria and Montenegro drew 1-1 in Sofia, Todor Nedelev’s penalty eight minutes from time ensuring a stalemate after Stefan Mugosa had opened the scoring just after half-time.

Lionel Messi played for Argentina in a friendly but they were embarrassed 3-1 by Venezuela in Madrid, with Newcastle’s Salomón Rondón among the goalscorers.

source: theguardian.com