New France captain Kylian Mbappe lived up to expectations with two goals in a 4-0 statement home win against the Netherlands as Les Bleus got their Euro 2024 Group B qualifying campaign started in ruthless fashion.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic made a much-anticipated return to international football but it was Romelu Lukaku who scored a hat-trick as Belgium secured a 3-0 win over Sweden in their opening Group F European Championship qualifiers.

Japan secured a 1-1 draw with Uruguay in Tokyo on Friday as substitute Takuma Nishimura scored with his first touch to cancel out Federico Valverde’s opener for the visitors in the Samurai Blue’s first outing since last year’s World Cup.

Argentina beat Panama 2-0 in a friendly with goals from Thiago Almada and Lionel Messi amid a festive atmosphere in their first game in front of their home fans after winning the World Cup in December.

Cristiano Ronaldo set a new record for the most international caps as Portugal played Liechtenstein and celebrated the milestone with a record-extending goal.

Harry Kane became England’s record international goalscorer as his side began their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign by beating reigning champions Italy 2-1 in Group C.

Cristiano Ronaldo tucked away a penalty and slammed home a free kick as he set a new record for the most international caps in Portugal’s 4-0 win over Liechtenstein in their opening Euro 2024 qualifier.

Rasmus Hojlund netted a superb hat-trick as Denmark beat Finland 3-1 at the Parken Stadium on Thursday and get their European Championship Group H qualifying campaign off to a winning start.

The Digicel Bula Boys and Junior Bula Boys ended their Tri-Nations International Friendlies at Churchill Park in Lautoka in a 2-all draw.

Ellie Carpenter is set for her first Matildas appearance in a year after the defender was recalled to the squad for next month’s friendlies against Scotland and England, 10 months after she sustained an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.

Fiji’s representative to the OFC Champions League Suva is in a tough pool.

Messi will get to celebrate with Argentina’s fans on Thursday as they play their first match after winning the World Cup in Qatar last year.