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Pogba’s super strike floors Netherlands
AMSTERDAM: A searing first-half strike from Paul Pogba handed France a 1-0 win at rivals the Netherlands as Portugal clocked up a 6-0 victory.
AMSTERDAM: A searing first-half strike from Paul Pogba handed France a 1-0 win at rivals the Netherlands as Portugal clocked up a 6-0 victory.
Criticised by coach Didier Deschamps for his performance in Friday’s 4-1 win over Bulgaria in Paris, the world’s most expensive footballer emphatically replied with a towering display for Les Bleus in Amsterdam in the most eye-catching fixture.
The Manchester United mid-fielder’s powerful hit from 25 metres out after half an hour left diving Dutch goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg able to get his hands to the fizzing ball but unable to stop it.
“I didn’t speak to him (Pogba), I just said a few words to him before entering the changing rooms, ‘I have confidence in you,’” said Deschamps.
“The match confirms what he is able to do. Pogba was much better in everything he did. He showed what he can do.
“We never doubted he could do it. We mustn’t forget Paul is relatively young and he can still progress.”
Pogba nearly doubled his account with a header off a Dimitri Payet corner on 66 minutes just lacking power.
“If the team has a good match, I have a good match,” said a defiant Pogba. “If it’s a bad match, I have a bad match.
“We’re not going to talk about individual performances. It’s true it’s not always nice to hear criticism, ‘bad things’ about myself. There wasn’t any answer. Today it was a good team effort.”
QUICK-FIRE
Portugal went on a goal spree against Faroe Islands. Bidding to catch Group B leaders Switzerland, Portugal matched their 6-0 defeat of Andorra on Friday to win in faro.
Andre Silva scored a hat-trick before captain Cristiano Ronaldo netted his fifth goal in four days, with Joao Cancelo and Joao Moutinho also scoring late on.
Switzerland maintained their unbeaten run, coming away 2-1 winners from Andorra with Fabian Schaer and Admir Mehmedi scoring in either half.
