World Cup qualifiers: France and Belgium book Qatar berth

France secured qualification for next year’s World Cup in Qatar as they demolished Kazakhstan 8-0 at Parc des Princes on Saturday. Kylian Mbappe scored four goals while Karim Benzema netted a brace for Didier Deschamps side, helping French seal the top spot in Group D with 15 points, four ahead of second-placed Finland, who they visit in their final match on Tuesday. Elsewhere Belgium also qualified for Qatar 2022 as they beat Estonia 3-1 in Brussels. The Red Devils climbed to 19 points in Group E courtesy of goals from Christian Benteke, Yannick Carrasco and Thorgan Hazard.

France opened the scoring inside six minutes of kick-off. Theo Hernandez’ cut back from the left side of the penalty area was slotted in by Mbappe at the near post. Mbappe scored his second in the 12th minute. Kingsley Coman was released down the right flank and the winger beat visiting goalkeeper Stas Pokatilov who came charging out, with his first touch before providing a low cross for Mbappe to score into an empty net.

Mbappe completed his hat-trick in the 32nd minute as he headed home from Coman’s cross. The French never took the foot off the pedal in the second half and soon scored two quick goals through Benzema. Ten minutes into second half, the Real Madrid striker scored his first of the night from Hernandez’ cut back. And then, netted his second four minutes later, after being set up by Mbappe.

In the 75th minute, Rabiot scored his first international goal as he headed home from Griezmann’s corner kick. Six minutes from time, Griezmann scored France’ seventh of the night from the penalty spot after being fouled inside the box by Vladislav Vasiliev. It was the Atletico Madrid striker’s 42nd goal for the national team and he is now third among his country’s all-time top scorers list. Five minutes later, Mbappe scored his fourth of the night to complete the drubbing. Substitute Moussa Diaby provided the assist for Mbappe to slot the ball into the bottom right corner of the goal.

Belgium 3-1 Estonia

Striker Benteke was given a rare start by head coach Roberto Martinez because of injuries to Romelu Lukaku and Michy Batshuayi. The 30-year-old opened the scoring with 11 minutes of kick-off courtesy of an error from the Estonia goalkeeper Matvei Igonen. The visiting goalkeeper let a low cross from Carrasco slip through his hands which allowed Benteke to tap in from close range.

Carrasco doubled the lead in the 52nd minute as he slotted the ball into the top corner of the goal with a powerful strike from the edge of the box. 

Meanwhile Estonia pulled one back in the 70th minute when Rauno Sappinens shot was palmed away by Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois into the path of Erik Sorga, who put the ball away.

And then four minutes later, the two goal lead was restored as Thorgan Hazard headed home from Kevin De Bruyne’s cross.