Griezmann in the groove as France rediscovers finesse

PARIS－The way Antoine Griezmann and Karim Benzema linked up together for France on Tuesday, the injured Kylian Mbappe was hardly missed.

Griezmann scored twice and was set up by Benzema both times in a 2-0 win over Finland that put the defending World Cup champion in control of its qualifying group for the 2022 tournament.

Also, European Championship semifinalist Denmark extended its perfect start by dominating Israel 5-0, and Memphis Depay and Erling Haaland each had hat-tricks as both the Netherlands and Norway, respectively, won in routs.

Denmark has scored 22 goals and conceded none.

With his 39th and 40th goals for France, Griezmann matched Michel Platini for third place on Les Bleus' all-time scoring list behind only Thierry Henry (51) and Olivier Giroud (46).

France was roared on by 57,000 passionate spectators in Lyon where Griezmann－who ended an unhappy spell at Barcelona with a loan move back to Atletico Madrid in the offseason－combined well with Karim Benzema as their side overcame a disjointed start.

Benzema's delightful backheel released Griezmann inside the box and he supplied a smooth finish after 25 minutes.

Griezmann made it 41 goals for his country when he beat Finnish goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky at the near post to make it 2-0 in the 54th minute.

After a frustrating 1-1 draw with Ukraine in their last game, the victory was a welcome boost for the French who are still smarting after crashing out of Euro 2020 at the last-16 stage this summer.

"We did not do everything well but we have rediscovered our confidence," said France coach Didier Deschamps.

"This puts our fate in our hands and we must finish the job in November."

Great Scots

Scotland grabbed a valuable three points in its bid to qualify for Qatar 2022 with a 1-0 win against the Austrians as Australian-born Lyndon Dykes' VAR-awarded penalty proved the difference.

The victory in Vienna moved the Scots up to second in Group F, seven points behind Euro 2020 semifinalist Denmark.

"Some people in Scotland don't believe in this group of players, but I do," Scotland manager Steve Clarke told Sky Sports. "I love my players. We're a good team."

The Netherlands produced a ruthless display against Turkey in Amsterdam as Depay's hat-trick took the Barcelona forward's international goal tally to 33.

The Dutch led 3-0 by halftime and any remaining chance for the Turks vanished when Leicester defender Caglar Soyuncu was sent off for a second bookable offense shortly before the break.

Louis van Gaal's Dutch side moved into top spot in Group G on goal difference above Norway, who outclassed Gibraltar 5-1, with Erling Haaland notching a hat-trick.

Serbia's bid to qualify for a second successive World Cup finals suffered a setback as Nikola Milenkovic's late own goal and a superb display from teenage goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu gave the Republic of Ireland a battling 1-1 draw in Dublin.

Lazio's Sergej Milinkovic-Savic had given Serbia a first-half lead.

Serbia trails Portugal－which was a 3-0 winner in Azerbaijan－by two points in Group A.

The Portuguese did not miss the suspended Cristiano Ronaldo as Bernardo Silva scored a sparkling opener on 26 minutes before Andre Silva added a second five minutes later in Baku.

Liverpool forward Diogo Jota completed the job with a second-half header to continue his bright early-season form.

Agencies