5 things we learned from France’s demolition of the Netherlands

France took a major step towards qualifying for World Cup 2018, smashing the Netherlands 4-0 in a qualifying encounter at Stade de France to move three points clear of Sweden in Group A.

It will take an astonishing turnaround now for Didier Deschamps’ side to be overhauled, given a relatively kind fixture list, meaning that the likelihood is that arguably international football’s most attractive side will be in Russia next summer.

Les Bleus’ performance against the Dutch was particularly dominant, with goals coming from Antoine Griezmann, Thomas Lemar (two) and Kylian Mbappe.

Here are five things that we learned from the game.

#1 Arsenal made a HUGE mistake not pressing for Lemar more

It has been a pretty miserable transfer window for Arsenal, who signed only Alexandre Lacazette and Sead Kolasinac. After offloading Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on Deadline Day to Liverpool, there was speculation of a €100 million move for Thomas Lemar.

If reports are accurate – and on a day as frenetic as August 31 that cannot always be guaranteed – Lemar rebuffed them, citing a lack of Champions League football as his reasoning. Liverpool, too, cast their eye over him but could not force through a late move.

Arsenal fans watching Didier Deschamps’s side destroy the Dutch, though, could only have been left shaking their heads as he played a starring role for Les Bleus. He was involved in the genesis of the move for Griezmann’s opener but took centre stage with a stunning first-time shot to put the game out of their opponents’ reach with 10 minutes left and capped a man-of-the-match display by scoring a tap in after 88 minutes.

#2 Mbappe feels no pressure

If Kylian Mbappe’s first two competitive performances with Monaco this season were thoroughly indifferent, finally revealing a human side to the prodigious young striker, the move to Paris Saint-Germain appears to have relieved a burden from him.

Signed by the Parc des Princes side on loan earlier in the day, he will move permanently to his hometown club at the end of the season for the staggering figure of €180 million – likely to make him the second most expensive player in history.

One would expect that was quite a burden for an 18-year-old to bear, but not so for Mbappe, who played a blistering cameo against the Dutch. He offered several excellent runs before finally grabbing his first international goal in stoppage time.

After a piercing surge at the heart of the defence, he exchanged quick passes with former Monaco team-mate Djibril Sidibe before flashing a finish into the goal. It was excellent and everything we’ve come to expect of the young star.

#3 Kante can be Pogba’s long-term partner in midfield

If Deschamps is to persist with a 4-2-3-1 system, the diminutive Chelsea man seems to have put himself in pole position

Although N’Golo Kante has been a star for Leicester and Chelsea in the Premier League, he has never quite hit the same heights at international level – until just now. There have been questions asked as to whom the ideal partner for Paul Pogba in the heart of the midfield is, and if Deschamps is to persist with a 4-2-3-1 system, the diminutive Chelsea man seems to have put himself in pole position.

Not only did he offer all the energy and industry one would expect of him in the midfield, snapping characteristically into tackles and letting nothing go by him, he showed a capacity to support the attack at times, too.

Indeed, only a fantastic saving tackle prevented him from netting his first international goal as he pulled the trigger six yards out with the goal gaping. It would have been the performance his display deserved.

#4 France still have work to do

Kurzawa was wasteful going forward and a little uneasy at the back

While this was an encouraging performance from Deschamps’s men, it was not perfect. The coach will harbour some concerns ahead of their final qualifying fixtures, though admittedly none that should concern him too greatly prior to Sunday’s fixture against Luxembourg.

Although they ultimately steamrollered their opponents, they were rather inefficient going forward, often overplaying in key areas and guilty of not making the most of their advantages in both territory and possession.

If there was one weak link in their side on Thursday, it was PSG full-back Layvin Kurzawa, who was wasteful going forward and a little uneasy at the back. Should he get the nod next time out, Deschamps will expect a more composed display.

#5 The Netherlands are bad… really bad

Dick Advocaatâs men were utterly abject — Dick Advocaat’s men were utterly abject

FIFA ranked the Netherlands as the best team in the world as recently as 2011, but it is no surprise they have fallen as low as 36 judging by their performance on Thursday.

Dick Advocaat’s men were utterly abject, with their lack of tempo, technique and urgency incredible in the first half. Indeed, had it not been for their hosts’ incessant showboating they might have been facing a far more severe score than 1-0.

For a period in the second half they actually improved, but it was telling that they were reliant on veterans Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie, a second half replacement for the hapless Vincent Janssen, for all of their forward thrust.

Kevin Strootman’s soft red card did not help their cause but in truth, it probably only hastened their demise. Hugo Lloris was tested only once in the game, and by that stage the game was out of sight.

It is hard to overstate just how bad the Dutch were. Surely a team with such quality players are capable of far better?