Kylian Mbappe scored late in his first game since joining Real Madrid to help France build momentum for the European Championship with a dominant 3-0 win over Luxembourg on Wednesday.
Mbappe, whose Madrid move was finally confirmed on Monday, was a constant threat for Luxembourg’s hard-working defenders, but the France captain had to wait until the 85th minute before he could crown his performance with a goal.
Bradley Barcola made his France debut as a substitute and promptly won the ball, ran to the penalty and drew in more defenders before laying the ball off for Mbappe to tuck inside the left post.
In Copenhagen, Christian Eriksen scored late to give Denmark a 2-1 win over Sweden.
Mikel Oyarzabal scored a hat-trick after the break to help Spain rout Andorra 5-0.
Belgium earned a 2-0 win over Montenegro with Kevin De Bruyne scoring on his 100th appearance for the Red Devils. But a host of halftime changes almost cost the team. Leandro Trossard only sealed the win with a penalty in stoppage time.
Slovakia, Belgium’s Group E opponent at the Euros, enjoyed a 4-0 win over minnow San Marino.
Deschamps impressed
Though France’s star-studded team found it tough at times to break through Luxembourg’s defence, coach Didier Deschamps will have been impressed with his team’s relentless pressure and off-the-ball play.
Only the final touch was missing at times, but Deschamps has a chance to fine-tune the side in its final tournament warmup against Canada in Bordeaux on Sunday.
Antoine Griezmann was back after missing the March internationals with an ankle injury. Randal Kolo Muani made a rare start with Ousmane Dembélé unavailable through illness.
France probed and harried but had to wait nearly the whole of the first half for the opener.
Mbappe drew two defenders to the end line and crossed for Kolo Muani to head past Anthony Moris in the 43rd minute.
Marseille defender Jonathan Clauss finally made it 2-0.
Les Bleus are in Group D with the Netherlands, Poland and Austria.
Christian Eriksen sealed Denmark’s 2-1 win over neighbour Sweden with a long-range strike in the same stadium where he collapsed after a cardiac arrest at Euro 2020.
The 32-year-old Eriksen unleashed a fierce shot inside the far post in the 86th. It was his 41st goal in his 129th appearance for Denmark.
