France will visit the Netherlands knowing a win will guarantee them a spot in Euro 2024. With 15 points out of a possible 15, Les Bleus have blown the competition out of the water thus far. The Oranje are six points worse off than their next opponents despite having a game in hand.
Preview (Netherlands vs. France)
The Netherlands had played one less game than their Euro 2024 qualifying Group B counterparts. They go into the October internationals because of their failed attempt in the Nations League finals. Losses to Croatia and Italy made it four defeats from five for Ronald Koeman’s troubled army. However, the Netherlands reignited their bid for a top-two finish by claiming back-to-back victories over Greece and the Republic of Ireland, scoring five goals and allowing just one in the process.
After falling behind early to the Irish, who took the lead through an Adam Idah penalty five minutes in. Cody Gakpo’s own 12-yard conversion and Wout Weghorst’s goal in the second half turned the tie around. After defeating Greece with three goals without a response, Koeman’s team rallied from an early deficit. No matter what happens on Friday, the second-placed Dutch cannot guarantee an automatic qualification spot. Wins over France and Greece would be enough provided Ireland can earn at least a point.
The home venues for the Netherlands’ Euro 2024 qualifying matches have ranged from De Kuip and the Philips Stadion to the Johan Cruyff Arena, but the Oranje have won their previous four qualifiers on home soil, winning each game with at least three goals. France continued their spotless start to qualifying Group B by defeating the Republic of Ireland by a score of two goals without reply before suffering an insignificant friendly loss to the tournament host Germany.
Team News
All of Gakpo, Jurrien Timber, Sven Botman, Matthijs de Ligt, Frenkie de Jong, Mark Flekken, Memphis Depay, Noa Lang, Teun Koopmeiners, Tyrell Malacia, or Steven Berghuis are out due to injuries, which follows a viral outbreak that preceded March’s 4-0 humiliation for the Netherlands. Due to this, the home team’s roster appears especially thin in attack. Steven Bergwijn has scored eight goals for Oranje so far in this round of games. Denzel Dumfries, who missed March’s loss to France due to suspension, is available.
The uncapped Micky van de Ven is an excellent option to bolster a thin Dutch defense. He has had a fantastic start to life in a Tottenham Hotspur jersey. Daley Blind can catch Dirk Kuyt on 104 caps for the national side. Wesley Fofana, Presnel Kimpembe, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano, Jules Kounde, and Axel Disasi, who withdrew just a few hours after being called up, are all in the hospital, and France manager Deschamps is juggling a devastated group of defensive alternatives.
No-cap duoMalo Gusto and Castello Lukeba have bolstered the squad, along with Jonathan Clauss and Ibrahima Konate, who both missed the games in September. Mike Maignan should continue to wear the gloves. France has managed to keep every single one of their Group B opponents at away thus far, despite untimely defensive worries popping up, and should be backed to continue doing so against a visibly undermanned Netherlands team. Les Bleus should silence the Amsterdam supporters and end Oranje’s winning streak at home to secure a spot in Germany next summer, with the possibility of clinching qualifying with two games remaining serving as an additional incentive.
Netherlands 0 – 2 France
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