The Netherlands achieved the second victory they had hoped for in the European Championship qualification and moved past their opponents Greece in Group B to second place behind France.
Group B: Netherlands level on points with Greece, France flawless
The Oranje team beat the Greeks 3-0 (3-0) and has a better goal difference than Greece with six points. After the 2-0 (1-0) win against Ireland, France is still without losing any points after five qualifying games and also without conceding a goal.
France has almost bought its ticket. In the Parc des Princes in Paris, coach Didier Deschamps’ team performed superiorly and created early chances. Following preparatory work from captain Kylian Mbappé, Aurélien Tchouaméni (19th minute) was one of the first to take the lead with a wonderful curling shot. Substitute Marcus Thuram (48th) added another goal shortly after the break. Next Tuesday (September 12th, 2023) the French will meet Germany in a friendly in Dortmund.
Group E: Albania remains on the heels of the Czech Republic
The Czech Republic with Bremen goalkeeper Jiri Pavlenka and Wolfsburg’s Vaclav Cerny only narrowly defended their lead in Group E against pursuers Albania and played 1:1 (0:0). Poland, with Wolfsburg’s Jakub Kaminski, moved closer to the top duo with a laborious 2-0 (0-0) win against the Faroe Islands thanks to a late brace from former world footballer Robert Lewandowski (73rd, penalty and 83rd).
Group G: Orban scores the winning goal for Hungary
Hungary also still has the best chance of getting a ticket to the European Championship. Hoffenheim’s new signing Attila Szalai (10th) initially gave hosts Serbia the lead with an own goal. But then Barnabas Varga (34th) and RB Leipzig’s Willi Orban (36th) turned the game around for the Hungarians, who lead the Group G table ahead of the Serbs.
Group H: Finland claims Leading the table
Denmark improved in Group H with a 4-0 (3-0) win against bottom team San Marino with no points, in which Wolfsburg’s Joakim Mähle (28th) and Jonas Wind (40th) as well as Leipzig’s Yussuf Poulsen (90th). +4) entered the top scorers list, in second place. Slovenia, for whom Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko scored once in a 4:2 (3:1) win against Northern Ireland, jumped into third place, level with the former European champions. Both winning teams now have a two-point lead over Kazakhstan, who had to admit defeat 0-1 (0-0) to leaders Finland in the top game.