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#3 Finland are starring down the barrel
France may have qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2022. But the race for a playoff spot in the group remains wide open ahead of the last round of qualifiers.
Earlier in the day, Finland overcame Bosnia and Herzegovina in a 3-1 away win to climb above Ukraine and keep their playoff hopes alive. They're currently two points clear of Ukraine in second place as they eye a place in the playoffs.
However, they play France on the final day next week. Considering their recent performances, they could be up against it against the already-qualified holders.
If the world champions replicate their Saturday form on Tuesday, Finland would be in for a long night. But should they lose, and Ukraine also drop points away to Bosnia, then it won't matter.
However, the Zborna have the quality to step up when it matters, so Finland will need a huge favour from Bosnia.
#2 France are still the team to beat in 2022
Sure, it's only Kazakhstan, who're ranked 122 places below them. But France were truly in inspired form on Saturday, cutting a swathe through their hapless opponents like a knife through butter.
The world champions demonstrated their frightening potential and showed why they could be the team to beat at the FIFA World Cup 2022 next year.
They have the prolific attacking trio of Kylian Mbappe, Karim Benzema and Antoine Griezmann. France also have Theo Hernandez and Kingsley Coman's dynamism from the flanks, with Paul Pogba running the show in midfield, which makes them a formidable side.
Les Blues may not play the likes of Kazakhstan in Qatar, but expect to see more of their scoops, overhead kicks, rabonas and slick passing at the tournament.
#1 Kylian Mbappe smashes records with amazing quadruple
Kylian Mbappe was obviously the star of the show, netting four times, including a stunning hat-trick in the first half.
The PSG ace had never scored a hat-trick in French colours before, so this was long overdue. Mbappe did so in style, becoming the first French player since Olivier Giroud in 2017 to bag a treble.
In the process, Mbappe also became the first player to record the feat in a competitive game. Dominique Rocheteau did so in 1985. In fact, Mbappe's quadruple marked the first time a France player did so in a game in 65 years.
Interestingly, these were his first goals in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, having drawn a blank until now.
His goal tally for Les Blues now stands at 23 goals in 52 games, and Mbappe only turns 23 next month. He smashed many records last night against hapless Kazakhstan, but in the coming years, he's probably going to write a record book of his own.
