Memphis Depay scored a hat-trick as the Netherlands produced an irresistible display, while an Antoine Griezmann-inspired France opened up a greater lead.
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Antoine Griezmann scored a double as France beat Finland 2-0 in a World Cup Group D qualifier on Tuesday. Les Bleus who were winless in five games went ahead in the first half as Griezmann finished off a fine move. The Atletico Madrid striker made it 2-0 early in the second half. Meanwhile, in the other match of the day, Memphis Depay scored his first international hat-trick as the Netherlands demolished Turkey 6-1 in their World Cup Group G qualifier. Davy Klaasen opened the scoring while Guus Til and Donyell Malen scored late goals.
After two 1-1 draws against Bosnia and Ukraine, Didier Deschamps made some changes to his tactics as he deployed a 5-2-3 formation at Parc Olympique Lyonnais. Leo Dubois and Theo Hernandez played as the wing-backs, while Griezmann, Anthony Martial and Karim Benzema played upfront.
The tinkering seemed to work as Les Bleus were able to penetrate through the Finland defence. Finland goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky pulled off a nice save to deny Benzema in the 22nd minute. Three minutes later, Griezmann found Benzema on the edge of the area whose return flick allowed the 30-year-old to fire home brilliantly with the outside of his left boot.
The home side continued to attack as right-wing-back Dubois’ close-range shot was blocked at the near post and Rabiot’s long ranger was parried away by Hradecky. In the 53rd minute, after some good work, Benzema gave the ball to Dubois whose first-time pass to Griezmann saw the 30-year-old take a heavy touch before recovering to score from a tight angle. It was Griezmann’s 41st international goal. He is now France’s joint third all-time top scorer alongside Michel Platini.
The win helped Les Bleus to 12 points from six games whereas Finland are third in the group with five points from four games. Bosnia who drew 2-2 with bottom side Kazakhstan are fourth in the group, while Ukraine are second with five points from as many games.
Klaasen scored in the opening minute in a dream start for the home side. Klaasen and Depay played some brilliant one-touch football inside the box before the Ajax midfielder slotted the ball past Ugurcan Cakir. Klaasen and Depay combined once again, this time the scorer turned provider as Depay netted his first of the night in the 16th minute. The Barcelona forward struck a panenka from the spot for his second of the night after Klaasen was brought down by Caglar Soyuncu inside the box.
Two minutes before the break, the away side’s bad night got worse as Soyuncu received his marching orders. The Leicester City defender received his second yellow card for taking down Depay.
Depay completed his hat-trick in the 54th minute with a simple close-range header and made the score 4-0. It was the 27-year-old’s 33rd international goal. Til and Malen scored to make it six and secure the Netherlands’ fourth win of the campaign. Meanwhile Cengiz Under managed a consolation goal for Turkey in stoppage time.
The Dutch are joint-top of Group G with Norway on 13 points and lead by a significant goal difference, whereas Turkey are third with 11 points from six games.
