• France's forward Kylian Mbappe after scoring four goals in the 8-0 win against Kazakhstan at the Parc des Princes in Paris. AFP
    France's forward Kylian Mbappe after scoring four goals in the 8-0 win against Kazakhstan at the Parc des Princes in Paris. AFP
  • Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring the first goal. Reuters
    Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring the first goal. Reuters
  • Mbappe celebrates after the second. AP
    Mbappe celebrates after the second. AP
  • Mbappe after completing a first-half hat-trick. AP
    Mbappe after completing a first-half hat-trick. AP
  • France's Karim Benzema celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal. AP
    France's Karim Benzema celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal. AP
  • Benzema celebrates scoring their fifth goal. Reuters
    Benzema celebrates scoring their fifth goal. Reuters
  • Benzema after the fifth. AP
    Benzema after the fifth. AP
  • France's Adrien Rabiot celebrates after scoring his side's sixth goal. AP
    France's Adrien Rabiot celebrates after scoring his side's sixth goal. AP
  • Antoine Griezmann celebrates with Kilian Mbappe after scoring a penalty, his side's seventh goal. AP
    Antoine Griezmann celebrates with Kilian Mbappe after scoring a penalty, his side's seventh goal. AP
  • Mbappe completes the scoring with France's eighth, and his fourth. AP
    Mbappe completes the scoring with France's eighth, and his fourth. AP

'We're going to win it' - Mbappe nets four as France book World Cup place with 8-0 rout


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Striker Kylian Mbappe scored four times as defending champions France qualified for next year's World Cup by crushing Kazakhstan 8-0.

Real Madrid's Karim Benzema also netted twice at the Parc des Princes in a fine attacking display as Les Bleus won their group with a game to spare.

"A World Cup is a dream, an aim, it's everything and it's a unique chance to play in a team that can win it. We're going over there to win it," Mbappe said.

"We wanted to give ourselves a chance to defend our title. Even for those who have played in it and won it, it's an ultimate dream to play in a World Cup. The fans enjoyed it, so did we."

France coach Didier Deschamps added: “Everyone had their slice of their cake, there was a real understanding between the players. It’s a beautiful night of soccer.”

France were missing the injured Paul Pogba so Adrien Rabiot started in midfield at Parc des Princes, where he used to play for Paris Saint-Germain with Mbappe.

It was the perfect location for Rabiot's first international goal as he headed home powerfully from Antoine Griezmann's pinpoint corner in the 75th minute. Griezmann's late penalty gave him 42 goals for France, and one more than midfield great Michel Platini.

Mbappe was about to be taken off when substitute Moussa Diaby cleverly played him in for a low finish in the 87th and a 23rd international goal. Moments later Deschamps joined in the applause as Mbappe came off.

He had already thrilled the 45,000 home fans with a first international hat trick — including a rare header — inside 32 minutes. Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman was in great form down the right and set two of those goals up.

“We showed great ideas, movement and we took our chances well," Deschamps said. “Kingsley has the ability to dribble and cross. He was a bonus for us on the right side.

"The aim was to qualify, but we did it in style too and you could see the enjoyment the players got from playing together and how they shared things, notably the forwards."

Deschamps will be delighted to see how quickly the partnership between the 33-year-old Benzema and the 22-year-old Mbappe is developing.

"We showed we have a good understanding and combine well together," said Benzema, who has eight goals in 12 matches since being recalled by Deschamps in time for this summer's European Championship.

Changing visa rules

For decades the UAE has granted two and three year visas to foreign workers, tied to their current employer. Now that's changing.

Last year, the UAE cabinet also approved providing 10-year visas to foreigners with investments in the UAE of at least Dh10 million, if non-real estate assets account for at least 60 per cent of the total. Investors can bring their spouses and children into the country.

It also approved five-year residency to owners of UAE real estate worth at least 5 million dirhams.

The government also said that leading academics, medical doctors, scientists, engineers and star students would be eligible for similar long-term visas, without the need for financial investments in the country.

The first batch - 20 finalists for the Mohammed bin Rashid Medal for Scientific Distinction.- were awarded in January and more are expected to follow.

Real estate tokenisation project

Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.

The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.

Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.

Paatal Lok season two

Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy 

Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong

Rating: 4.5/5

 

 

Updated: November 14, 2021, 3:11 AM