Manchester United duo Tyrell Malacia and Wout Weghorst both featured as the Netherlands were beaten 4-0 by France in their opening qualifier for Euro 2024 in Paris on Friday evening.
Named as substitutes for the opening game of Ronald Koeman's second spell in charge, the Reds duo stepped off the bench either side of half-time as they were put to the sword by the 2022 World Cup runners-up. Goals inside the first eight minutes from Antoine Griezmann and Dayot Upamecano fired the home side into a commanding lead early on, ahead of Kylian Mbappe making it 3-0 with just 22 minutes on the clock.
Weghorst was introduced from the bench with just 33 minutes played, replacing youngster Kenneth Taylor. Malacia then came on with just three minutes of normal time left on the clock, ahead of Mbappe netting his second of the game to grab France's fourth a minute later.
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Elsewhere in the European Championship qualifiers, loanee Marcel Sabitzer starred as Austria made light work of Azerbaijan to record a comfortable 4-1 win and go top of Group F. He scored twice, including a thunderous free-kick, and grabbed an assist.
Also in Group F, centre-back Victor Lindelof captained Sweden as they were beaten 3-0 by Belgium in Stockholm. Former United striker Romelu Lukaku netted a hat-trick to secure a comfortable win for the Red Devils. Lindelof was booked after 78 minutes.
Meanwhile, Facundo Pellistri started and stored 68 minutes under his belt as Uruguay drew 1-1 with Japan in a friendly in Tokyo. Federico Valverde's 38th-minute opener was cancelled out by substitute Takuma Nishimura, who stepped off the bench to score with his first touch of the ball with 15 minutes of the game remaining.
Eric Bailly started for the Ivory Coast as they beat Comoros 3-1 in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. He was taken off after 86 minutes. Amad, who is currently on loan at Sunderland, was an unused substitute.
Finally, Hannibal Mejbri, who has spent this season on loan at Birmingham City, started for Tunisia as they beat Libya 3-0, also in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. He was withdrawn after 83 minutes after starting on the right of the front-three.
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