Mbappe on target as France make light work of Luxembourg in Euro 2024 warm-up

Kylian Mbappe played a starring role as France stepped up their Euro 2024 preparations with a commanding 3-0 win over Luxembourg.

Mbappe set up Randal Kolo Muani and Jonathan Clauss, before completing the scoring on a comfortable night for Les Bleus at Stade Saint-Symphorien.

France were quickly into their stride in Metz’s first senior international game for eight years.

Antoine Griezmann struck the post in the 12th minute, while Anthony Moris did well to thwart Mbappe’s volley from point-blank range on 26 minutes.

However, the Luxembourg goalkeeper was powerless as Les Bleus broke through two minutes before the break, Mbappe crossing for Kolo Muani to head home.

Mbappe provided another assist as the hosts put the result beyond doubt with 20 minutes remaining. After a short corner, the skipper teed up substitute Clauss, who flashed a fierce 20-yard strike past Moris via the underside of the crossbar.

Luxembourg almost pulled one back when Enes Mahmutovic’s looping header was brilliantly clawed away by Mike Maignan, but Mbappe had the final word with a precise first-time finish from Bradley Barcola’s square pass.

Beaten by Germany last time out on home soil in March, France were aiming to avoid successive defeats in home friendlies for the first time since 2013.

However, Les Bleus never really looked in danger as they quickly set their stall out by establishing control of proceedings with Mbappe leading the charge.

Deschamps named a strong starting line-up, which included the return of Kante in midfield two years after his most recent international outing.

And it looked like the 33-year-old had never been away, as he quickly slotted back into his familiar role of keeping things ticking things over in midfield.

Kante received a tremendous reception when he was replaced in the 64th minute. He, along with the rest of his team-mates, did his chances of regularly featuring at Euro 2024 no harm at all.

Sunday’s visit of Iceland to Bordeaux will provide the squad with the final opportunity to stake their claim for a starting role in their nation’s Group D opener against Austria on June 17.

The man who will become a Real Madrid player on July 1 took centre stage for France.

The first of his two assists was a pinpoint cross for Kolo Muani, while his second saw him demonstrate good awareness to pick out the unmarked Clauss on the edge of the box.

Mbappe now has 27 assists for France – a tally only bettered by Griezmann (30), who shared his joint-high total of four chances created on Wednesday night.

The skipper, who completed all four of his take-ons, also led the way with game-high figures of touching in opposing box (23) and duels won (eight, level with Kolo Muani).

Meanwhile, his well-taken goal, which put the icing on the cake of a fine individual display, came from one of nine shots.

France: Maignan 8, Kounde 7, Upamecano 6, Konate 7, Hernandez 7, Kante 8, Fofana 7, Griezmann 8, Kolo Muani 8, Thuram 8, Mbappe 9*. Subs: Clauss 8, Saliba 7, Pavard 6, Zaire-Emery 6, Giroud 6, Barcola 7, Camavinga N/A.

Luxembourg: Moris 7, Mahmutovic 7, Chanot 7, Carlson 6, Jans 6, Olesen 6, Martins 6, Thill 5, Dzogovic 5, Sinani 6, Rodrigues 6. Subs: Mustafic N/A, Philipps 5, Lohei N/A.

12′ – OFF THE POST: Mbappe squares the ball to the edge of the area, where the unmarked Griezmann is waiting. The Atletico Madrid midfielder unleashes a drilled first-time volley that crashes against the woodwork, with Moris beaten.

26′ – LOVELY PLAY, GREAT SAVE: France suddenly burst into life around the Luxembourg penalty area. Fofana and Thuram are involved before Mbappe plays a neat one-two with Griezmann, but his fierce volley is somehow blocked by Moris from point-blank range.

43′ – GOAL!!! FRANCE 1-0 LUXEMBOURG (KOLO MUANI): Les Bleus have the breakthrough! Mbappe is the architect with a wonderful jinking run down the left flank. He gets to the byline and crosses towards the far post, where the unmarked Kolo Muani firmly plants a header beyond Moris.

70′ – GOAL!!! FRANCE 2-0 LUXEMBOURG (CLAUSS): Les Bleus double their lead in spectacular fashion! Taking a corner short, Mbappe fizzes the ball to the unmarked Clauss, who has plenty of time to take aim on the edge of the box. When he does, the half-time substitute unleashes a vicious strike that flashes past Moris off the underside of the crossbar.

82′ – GREAT SAVE: Luxembourg enjoy a rare attack from a corner that is well met by Mahmutovic. The centre-half’s header loops dangerously towards goal, but Maignan somehow manages to claw it out and away.

85′ – GOAL!!! FRANCE 3-0 LUXEMBOURG (MBAPPE): He had to have a say! Barcola steals possession from record-breaker Jans and drives towards the penalty area. The PSG forward then shows great awareness to find his former club mate, who slides a precise first-time shot into Moris’ bottom-right corner.