In a thrilling battle in Group B of the UEFA Europa League qualifiers, France narrowly beat the Netherlands 2-1 away from home in the early hours of Saturday morning (14th) thanks to Kilian McBarbie's second goal of the day, locking up their ticket to next year's final week two rounds ahead of schedule with a six-game winning streak. McBarbie's tally of international goals now stands at 42, surpassing French soccer legend Bertini's national team scoring record and closing in on the footsteps of the team's record goal-scorer, Chiote.
Despite a run of four consecutive games without a goal at Paris Saint-Germain, McBarbie was a rejuvenated player for France, scoring just seven minutes into the game with an overhead kick from a cross from the right. In the second half, he fired a spectacular shot from distance to give France a two-goal lead. The Dutch didn't equalize until the 83rd minute with debutant 21-year-old left back Quin Lenszijchtwen, but by then it was too late to save the day.
McBarbie, who became the fourth man on France's scoring charts, is still 12 goals short of leader Chiote, but given that Chiote has turned 37 and his national team appearances are dwindling, it's only a matter of time before the 24-year-old is on track to become France's new all-time leading goal scorer in the history of French soccer.
