France 2-0 Finland: Mbappe and Benzema shine

France secured a comfortable 2-0 victory over Finland in their latest World Cup qualifier, with Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema both getting on the scoresheet.

The match was played at the Stade de France in Paris, and the home side dominated proceedings from start to finish. Finland, who are currently ranked 54th in the world, struggled to cope with the pace and power of the French attack.

It was Mbappe who opened the scoring in the 25th minute, latching onto a through ball from Paul Pogba before calmly slotting the ball past the Finnish goalkeeper. The Paris Saint-Germain forward was a constant threat throughout the match, using his speed and skill to create numerous chances for himself and his teammates.

Benzema, who was making his first appearance for France since 2015, doubled the lead in the 53rd minute with a stunning strike from outside the box. The Real Madrid striker received the ball from Antoine Griezmann before unleashing a powerful shot that flew into the top corner of the net.

The goal was a reminder of Benzema’s quality, and his return to the national team has been welcomed by fans and pundits alike. The 33-year-old had been excluded from the squad for several years due to his alleged involvement in a blackmail scandal, but he has now been cleared of any wrongdoing and is back in the fold.

France continued to dominate the match after Benzema’s goal, with Pogba and N’Golo Kante controlling the midfield and the defense keeping the Finnish attack at bay. The home side could have scored more goals, but they were content to see out the match and secure the three points.

The victory takes France to the top of their World Cup qualifying group, with three wins and a draw from their four matches. They are now well on their way to securing a place at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and their performance against Finland will have given them confidence for the challenges ahead.

For Mbappe and Benzema, the match was a chance to showcase their talents on the international stage. Mbappe, who is widely regarded as one of the best young players in the world, showed why he is such a valuable asset to the French team. Benzema, meanwhile, proved that he still has plenty to offer at the highest level.

Overall, it was a convincing performance from France, and one that will have pleased manager Didier Deschamps. With a squad full of talent and experience, the reigning World Cup champions will be hoping to add another trophy to their collection in Qatar next year.