England and France remain clearly on course in the European Championship qualification. England celebrated a rifle festival against North Macedonia. France could once again rely on the accuracy of Kylian Mbappé against Greece. Turkey, coached by Stefan Kuntz, clinched the next win against Wales.
The English national football team celebrated a comfortable 7-0 win over North Macedonia in Manchester on Monday (June 19, 2023) and is comfortably at the top of Group C. Captain Harry Kane, who scored in the sixth international match in a row (29th, 72nd / penalty), Bukayo Saka (39th, 47th, 51st), Marcus Rashford (45th) and Kalvin Philipps (64th) provided the fourth win in fourth soil for Gareth Southgate’s team.
Behind England, Ukraine maintained their chances of participating in the finals of the European Championship in Germany with a resounding victory. The team of the new national coach Sergej Rebrow defeated Malta 1-0 (0-0) on a neutral pitch in Slovakia’s Trnava and remains with six points in the difficult group with the European Championship runners-up England and defending champions Italy in second place behind the Three Lions. The Italians have one game and three points fewer than Ukraine.
40th international goal – Mbappé redeems France
Vice world champions France kept their clean sheet thanks to Kylian Mbappe’s 40th international goal in the European Championship qualifier. The star ensemble won 1-0 (0-0) against Greece on Monday evening at the Stade de France. With the optimal haul of twelve points from four games, Les Bleus are clearly on course in Group B. Mbappe redeemed the oppressive French with a penalty kick (55th). The superstar is just one goal away from catching up with fourth-placed Michel Platini on the French FA’s all-time leaderboard.
Mavropanos sent off with a red card
With the Greeks, Stuttgart’s Konstantinos Mavropanos (69th) saw the red card after an emergency brake against Frankfurt’s Randal Kolo Muani, before the central defender had already caused the penalty. Mavropanos caught Antoine Griezmann in the penalty area with a stretched leg on the head. The attacker was bleeding, but he was able to continue playing with a turban. Greece goalkeeper Odisseas Vlachodimos was able to fend off Mbappe’s unplaced shot. However, since several Greeks ran into the penalty area too early, the penalty kick was repeated. In the second attempt, Mbappe remained ice cold.
France’s closest rivals are still Greece with six points from three games. The Netherlands have three points, but Elftal have only played two games due to their participation in the final tournament of the Nations League. Ireland (three points) and Gibraltar (no point) complete the group.
Türkiye under Coach Kuntz still at the top in Group D
Turkey was able to consolidate their lead in Group D – also thanks to the lucky hand of their German coach Stefan Kuntz. In Samsun, the Turks celebrated their second win in a row 2-0 (0-0) against Wales after almost 50 minutes outnumbered by goals from the jokers Umut Nayir (72nd) and Arda Güler (80th).
The Turks temporarily extended their lead over Croatia to five points. However, the third in the World Cup has played two games less due to his participation in the final tournament of the Nations League. Three days after the happy 3-2 win in Latvia, the Kuntz team did not achieve much in a hectic offensive game for a long time, even from the majority after the red card against Joe Morrell for a serious foul (41st), the Turks could not do much for a long time To benefit. In addition, the Welsh continued to be dangerous through counterattacks.
After a missed penalty by Inter’s Hakan Calhanoglu (64′), substitute Nayir (69′) made the Turkish fans cheer for the redeeming goal. Güler (80th) made the decision as the second joker.
Two late goals conceded – Switzerland threw up victory against Romania
In the top game of Group I, Switzerland missed their fourth win in four games with Bayern keeper Yann Sommer because they conceded two late goals against Romania. In the end there was a 2-2 draw in Lucerne, but Switzerland remains at the top of the table with a two-point lead over Romania.