MATCHDAY: Mbappé and Kane in form for France and England ahead of qualifiers
A look at what’s happening in European soccer on Monday:
EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFYING
GROUP B
Kylian Mbappé looks to move closer to fellow France great Michel Platini's tally of 41 international goals as Les Bleus host Greece. Mbappé is only goals two behind Platini, who is in fourth place on his nation's all-time scoring list. World Cup runner-up France leads the group and coach Didier Deschamps' side has yet to concede a goal as it seeks a fourth straight win. Greece has won its first two games and can move level on points with France with a win. Ireland hosts Gibraltar in the other game with both sides seeking a first victory.
GROUP C
Having reached 50 goals for England in competitive games, Harry Kane is in fine form ahead of the home game against North Macedonia. The Three Lions seek a fourth consecutive win while the Tottenham striker looks to add to his record 56 goals. Attack-minded defender Trent Alexander-Arnold could reprise his new midfield role after scoring his first goal for England with a long-range strike against Malta on Friday. After rallying from 2-0 down to win 3-2 against North Macedonia, Ukraine hopes for an easier match at home to last-place Malta, which is conceding nearly three goals per game.
GROUP D
With Croatia involved in the Nations League, it's a chance for Turkey to move further ahead at the top with a home win against Wales. The Welsh are reeling from a 4-2 home loss to Armenia, but a victory for Wales would move the Euro 2016 semifinalists above Turkey into first place. The Croats, however, will have two games in hand on Turkey and Wales when they restart their qualifying campaign. In the other game, Armenia hosts last-place Latvia.
GROUP H
Things are tight in Group H with four teams locked on six points. Euro 2020 semifinalist Denmark faces a tough trip to Slovenia but has the leading scorer in qualifying with Rasmus Højlund on five goals, while forward Jonas Wind scored on Friday. Group rival Finland appears to have a far more straightforward game when it hosts last-place San Marino — which has conceded seven goals and scored none. Kazakhstan is another nation in early contention and travels to Belfast to play Northern Ireland at Windsor Park.
GROUP I
Switzerland is making it look easy so far with 10 goals in three games. Forward Zeki Amdouni and midfielder Renato Steffen have netted three goals each. But securing a fourth straight win could be difficult for the Swiss against second-place Romania at Swissporarena in Lucerne. The Romanians will move top with a win. Also, third-place Israel hosts winless Andorra and last-place Belarus is at home to Kosovo.
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