Four-goal Mbappe fires France to WC
14 November 2021, 12:20 pm
World champions France booked their place at next year’s World Cup in Qatar in style as Kylian Mbappe fired in four goals in an 8-0 thrashing of Kazakhstan at the Parc des Princes on Saturday.
Karim Benzema scored twice and there were further goals for Adrien Rabiot and Antoine Griezmann whose penalty marked his 42nd goal for France, taking him ahead of Michel Platini.
Only Thierry Henry (51) and Olivier Giroud (46) have scored more for France.
Mbappe set the ball rolling when he put the world champions ahead after just six minutes.
The Paris Saint-Germain star, playing on his home ground, added a second six minutes later and completed his first hat-trick for France with a thundering header just after the half-hour.
Leading 3-0 at the break, France turned up the heat even more in the second half as Benzema struck twice before Rabiot and Griezmann had their moments in the spotlight.
It was fitting that Mbappe had the final say, stroking home his fourth to complete the rout three minutes from time.
France top Group D, leaving Finland and Ukraine to scrap over second place.
ARR