While You Were Asleep: Pavard scores stunner for France, Ake bags a brace for Netherlands, Sweden put five past Azerbaijan

“It was a tough game. Ireland are always difficult to play here,” France manager Didier Deschamps said. “They were dangerous at the end, especially from set-pieces. We have a young team, but they have quality and character, too.”

With victory over the Republic of Ireland 🇮🇪, les Bleus consolidate their place at the top of their group in Euro 2024 qualifying ✊#FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/pC3s8RPz9T

— French Team ⭐⭐ (@FrenchTeam) March 27, 2023

France brought Olivier Giroud back into the lineup and the striker, at 36 years, 178 days, became the oldest outfield player in the history of the national team to start.

Netherlands beat Gibraltar

The Netherlands bounced back in style after losing to France in their opening match to inflict a 3-0 win over minnows Gibraltar.

Memphis Depay bagged his 44th national team goal after opening the scoring with a strike in the 23rd minute. But it was an evening that saw Manchester City defender Nathan Ake steal the show.

+3 points, happy to get my 2 goals! See you again in the summer @OnsOranje 🦁 pic.twitter.com/x9cAwIYjGL

— Nathan Aké (@NathanAke) March 27, 2023

Ake first doubled the lead in the 50th minute with a powerful header from the middle of the box. In the 82nd minute, Ake hammered home a brilliant effort from outside the box.

It seemed like an attack vs defence practise even before Gibraltar’s Liam Walker was sent off in the 51st for a high tackle on midfielder Mats Wieffer.

Sweden thrash Azerbaijan

Sweden got back on track after its 3-0 beating at home to the Belgians on Friday, easing past Azerbaijan 5-0.

Sweden managed without Zlatan Ibrahimović, because of an unspecified injury for the 41-year-old forward, and eased some of the pressure that was building on coach Janne Andersson.

🇸🇪 SEGER 🇸🇪

SWE 🇸🇪 5-0 🇦🇿 AZE pic.twitter.com/vWhi9geF95

— Svensk Fotboll (@svenskfotboll) March 27, 2023

Emil Forsberg got the goals rolling in at the Friends Arena before Manchester United winger Anthony Elanga rounded off the scoring against an Azerbaijan side that were well-beaten.

Austria pip Estonia

Austria came from behind to extend their winning streak in all competitions to four games.

Austria trailed for much of the game to Estonia’s 25th-minute opener.

Florian Kainz and Michael Gregoritsch struck twice in the second-half to secure victory and maintain their unbeaten run in the European qualifiers.

Swiderski wins it for Poland

Poland coach Fernando Santos got his first points in his new job since leaving Euro 2016 champion Portugal after the World Cup in December.

A modest 1-0 win over Albania was earned by Świderski’s strike in the 41st, when he reacted fastest at the edge of the six-yard box to collect a rebound from a shot that struck a post.