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Tuesday 11 October 2016

World Cup Qualifiers: Pogba Lifts France; Belgium, Portugal on Rampage

A thunderous first-half strike from Paul Pogba handed France a 1-0 win in their top-of-the-bill clash with the Netherlands to go top of Uefa World Cup qualifying group A on Monday night.
After his rather underwhelming display in the 4-1 win over Bulgaria on Friday drew the criticism of Les Blues coach Didier Deschamps, Pogba responded in style with a rasping drive from 25 metres out that beat Maarten Stekelenburg in goal for the Netherlands.

It was an all round brilliant performance from the world’s most expensive footballer, who came close to doubling his tally with a header off a Dimitri Payet corner on 66 minutes.
Victory takes France joint top on seven points with Sweden, who were 3-0 winners over Bulgaria in Solna.


Elsewhere, Belgium and Portugal were in devastation mode against minnows Gibraltar and the Faroe Islands, who suffered 6-0 defeats each.
Christian Benteke set a new World Cup record for the fastest goal ever – after just seven seconds – on his way to a hat-trick in Gibraltar for the Red Devils who now top Group H on nine points out of nine, ahead of Greece on goal difference.
Portugal, already playing catch-up to group B leaders Switzerland, equalled their 6-0 win over Andorra on Friday.

Andre Silva netted a hat-trick for the European champions before further goals from captain Cristiano Ronaldo, Joao Cancelo and Joao Moutinho completed the rout.

Switzerland continued their impressive form with a 2-1 win at Andorra with goals in either half from Fabian Schaer and Admir Mehmedi.

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