Defending champions France beat Finland 2-0 in a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday to break a five-game winless streak thanks to a double strike from Antoine Griezmann, while Scotland kept their hopes alive with a 1-0 win in Austria. kept. In other action, Portugal and the Netherlands remained on track to reach the final in Qatar the following year, with Memphis Depay scoring a hat-trick for the Dutch in a 6–1 demolition of Turkey.
France was roared by 57,000 passionate spectators in Lyon, where Griezmann – who ended an unhappy spell at Barcelona with a loan back to Atletico Madrid in the transfer window – combined well with Karim Benzema. From then his side overcame a disgruntled start.
Benzema’s delightful backheel left Griezmann inside the box and he provided a smooth finish after 25 minutes.
Griezmann scored 41 goals for his country as he beat Finnish’ keeper Lukas Hradecki at near post to level 2–0 in the 54th minute.
After a disappointing 1-1 draw with Ukraine in their last game, the win was a welcome boost for the Frenchman, who is still going smart after being knocked out of Euro 2020 in the last 16 stage this summer.
“We haven’t done everything well but we have rediscovered our confidence,” said France coach Didier Deschamps.
“It puts our fate in our hands and we have to finish the job in November.”
‘I believe in these players’
Scotland scored valuable three points in their bid to qualify for Qatar with a 1–0 win against Austria in Vienna as Australian-born Lyndon Dykes’ VAR-award proved the difference.
The win moved the Scots to second place in Group F, seven points behind Euro 2020 semi-finalists Denmark, who are cruising with a 100 percent record after beating Israel 5-0.
Scotland manager Steve Clarke told Sky Sports: “Some people in (Scotland) don’t believe in this group of players, but I do. I love our players. We are a good team.”
The Netherlands were ruthless against Turkey as Depay’s hat-trick brought the Barcelona international’s goal to 33 goals.
The Dutch led 3–0 at half-time and any remaining chance for the Turks vanished when Leicester defender Caglar Soyunku was sent off for a second bookable offense shortly before the break.
Louis van Gaal’s side moved up to the top of Group G on goal difference over Norway, which defeated Gibraltar 5–1, with Erling Braut Haaland scoring a hat-trick.
Serbia’s bid to qualify for a second successive World Cup final suffered a setback as a late goal from Nikola Milenkovic and a brilliant performance from teenage goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu drew the Republic of Ireland to a 1-1 draw in Dublin. .
Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic put Serbia ahead in the first half.
The Serb is behind Portugal – who won 3-0 in Azerbaijan – by two points in Group A.
The Portuguese did not miss the suspended Cristiano Ronaldo as Bernardo Silva made a fine opener on 26 minutes before Andre Silva added another five minutes later in Baku.
Liverpool forward Diogo Jota finished the job with a second-half header to continue his stellar form of the opening season.
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