Kylian Mbappé reached a new milestone as he led France to maintain their perfect start in Group B of the 2024 European Championship qualifiers, winning 1-0 against Greece, who played with ten men, on Monday. Mbappé scored from a penalty kick, becoming the highest-scoring French player in a single season, with 54 goals, surpassing Just Fontaine’s record from the 1957-1958 season. The Paris Saint-Germain forward is level with Manchester City's Erling Haaland, who has the chance to take the lead in the goal-scoring chart across the top five European leagues when Norway plays Cyprus on Tuesday.
France tops Group B with 12 points, six ahead of second-place Greece, who finished the match with ten players after Konstantinos Mavropanos was sent off in the second half following Mbappé's goal. Randal Kolo Muani missed an opportunity for France by heading a cross from Mbappé wide of the goal in the 25th minute. The referee ignored France's calls for three penalty kicks but awarded a correct penalty to Antoine Griezmann after a foul by Mavropanos in the 55th minute. Odysseas Vlachodimos saved Mbappé's initial penalty, but the referee ordered a retake due to the Greek goalkeeper moving off his line before the kick.
Mbappé hit the second attempt powerfully, bringing his total to 40 goals in 70 matches for France. Mavropanos was sent off after preventing Kolo Muani from getting a clear shot on goal. France has scored nine goals and has not conceded any in the qualifiers so far. France will play against Ireland on September 7, while Greece will visit the Netherlands.
