(Football news) Billy Gilmour’s first-ever senior career goal gave the visitors an early lead, and the Inter Milan defender eventually hit the net twice in the first 24 minutes of the match against the Tartan Army, despite having only scored three goals in his previous 51 international appearances.

Less than 20 minutes remained to see France extend their winning streak on home soil to five games. Captain Kylian Mbappe added a third from the penalty spot just before halftime, and substitute Kingsley Coman completed the triumph with a powerful drive.

The two teams met just a few days after clinching their spots in the Euro 2024 tournament. France had defeated the Netherlands 2-1 on Friday, and Scotland had qualified thanks to Spain’s 1-0 victory over Norway on Sunday.

In the France squad that defeated the Netherlands, Deschamps made four changes: Olivier Giroud, Eduardo Camavinga, Ousmane Dembele, and Pavard all entered the starting XI.

While Scott McTominay assumed the captain’s armband in lieu of the injured Andrew Robertson, Steve Clarke made eight changes to the Scotland squad that fell to Spain 2-0. Liam Kelly made his debut on the international scene in goal, and players like Gilmour, Lewis Ferguson, and Greg Taylor were also given starts.

Long lines of fans at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy caused the start of the match to be delayed by ten minutes, as additional security was implemented in the wake of the terrorist attack that occurred prior to Monday’s ultimately postponed Euro 2024 qualifier between Belgium and Sweden in Brussels.

Although France dominated the first part of the match, Scotland seized the lead in the first eleven minutes when Gilmour scored a curling goal from around ten yards out into the far corner after Camavinga misjudged his ball.

But five minutes later, Pavard rose above the Scotland defense to head home Antoine Griezmann’s corner at the front post, allowing the hosts to recover brilliantly and tie the score.

Playing with Ibrahima Konate at centre defence, Pavard increased his goal total on the twenty-four-minute mark with another header. This time, he pounced on Mbappe’s pinpoint cross and sent it past Kelly from close range.

Liam Cooper got his hands on Giroud’s shirt, and VAR stepped in to award France a penalty. Kelly was able to get a fingertip to the resulting spot kick, but not enough to stop Mbappe’s powerful strike from nestling into the corner. Scotland was never able to recover from this setback and suffered another setback two minutes before halftime.

After failing to maintain their first-half pace for the first 45 minutes of the second half, France steadily regained their rhythm, with Mbappe and Griezmann in particular offering a threat in the last third.

The difference was, however, made by the introduction of Thuram and Coman as replacements. Thuram broke free down the left wing and drilled a low cross towards Griezmann, who somehow managed to steer a shot against the post, while in the 70th minute, Coman struck a first-time effort that struck the crossbar.

Ten minutes from time, Thuram came dangerously close to adding a goal of his own when his rising effort struck the crossbar after he raced clear through on goal, but in the end, France won easily, even though they were playing against a significantly altered Scotland team.

On November 18, France will resume their international duties with a home match against Gibraltar in a Euro 2024 qualifying round, while Scotland will host Norway two days prior.
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