France forward Kylian Mbappe was on the scoresheet during a 3-0 Euro 2024 qualifying win over Gibraltar on Friday. AFP
France forward Kylian Mbappe was on the scoresheet during a 3-0 Euro 2024 qualifying win over Gibraltar on Friday. AFP
France forward Kylian Mbappe was on the scoresheet during a 3-0 Euro 2024 qualifying win over Gibraltar on Friday. AFP
France forward Kylian Mbappe was on the scoresheet during a 3-0 Euro 2024 qualifying win over Gibraltar on Friday. AFP

Mbappe and Kane on target as France and England ease to Euro 2024 qualifying wins


Steve Luckings
  • English
  • Arabic

Kylian Mbappe netted from a penalty and Harry Kane extended his England goalscoring record as France and England eased to victories over minnows Gibraltar and Malta in Friday's round of Euro 2024 qualifying.

Paris Saint-Germain striker Mbappe and Tottenham Hotspur forward Kane are almost certain to join new clubs this summer, but they put thoughts of club football out of their minds to put in goalscoring performances for their country.

Mbappe scored France's second from the penalty spot after Olivier Giroud opened the scoring, the AC Milan striker extending his own national record with his 54th goal for Les Bleus.

France captain Mbappe then forced an own-goal from Aymen Mouelhi to complete the scoring after the break as Didier Deschamps' side maintained their 100 per cent record in Euro 2024 qualifying.

"The objective was to win and get the job done but we should have scored more goals," said France coach Deschamps.

"We can always do better and play with more pace but the pitch did not help us.

"I will settle for this and start thinking about Monday which is an important match."

  • England forward Harry Kane runs with the ball during the Euro 2024 Group C qualifier against Malta on June 16, 2023 at the National Stadium Ta'Qali in Attard, Malta. England won 4-0. AFP
    England forward Harry Kane runs with the ball during the Euro 2024 Group C qualifier against Malta on June 16, 2023 at the National Stadium Ta'Qali in Attard, Malta. England won 4-0. AFP
  • England's Harry Kane, right, challenges for the ball with Malta's Teddy Teuma. AP Photo
    England's Harry Kane, right, challenges for the ball with Malta's Teddy Teuma. AP Photo
  • England's Harry Kane attempts to score with a chip. PA
    England's Harry Kane attempts to score with a chip. PA
  • Harry Kane scores England's third goal from the penalty spot. AP Photo
    Harry Kane scores England's third goal from the penalty spot. AP Photo
  • England's Trent Alexander-Arnold celebrates scoring their second goal with Harry Kane. Reuters
    England's Trent Alexander-Arnold celebrates scoring their second goal with Harry Kane. Reuters
  • England's Trent Alexander-Arnold in action. AFP
    England's Trent Alexander-Arnold in action. AFP
  • England's Trent Alexander-Arnold speaks to Channel 4 after the 4-0 win over Malta. PA
    England's Trent Alexander-Arnold speaks to Channel 4 after the 4-0 win over Malta. PA
  • England's Trent Alexander Arnold, left, challenges for the ball with Malta's Cain Attard. AP Photo
    England's Trent Alexander Arnold, left, challenges for the ball with Malta's Cain Attard. AP Photo
  • England forward Callum Wilson challenges Malta defender Steve Borg. AFP
    England forward Callum Wilson challenges Malta defender Steve Borg. AFP
  • England forward Callum Wilson and Malta's defender Steve Borg go for the ball. AFP
    England forward Callum Wilson and Malta's defender Steve Borg go for the ball. AFP

Kane's penalty in a 4-0 romp at Malta made it 56 goals for his table-topping nation in Group C.

England took the lead at Ta’ Qali National Stadium through an early Malta own goal, before Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold – playing in a midfield role for the first time in his Three Lions career – scored a brilliant goal and Kane netted soon after Gareth Southgate’s team.

Callum Wilson's late penalty completed the scoring.

Mbappe had dominated the headlines in the build-up to this game after confirming he would not extend his contract at PSG, which expires next year.

That has raised the prospect of PSG selling their superstar in this transfer window, even if the 24-year-old has said he intends to stay with the French champions next season.

Kane, 29, is also in the final 12 months of his contract and has shown few indications he is willing to talk fresh terms at Tottenham following a disappointing season in which the North London club finished eighth in the Premier League.

Real Madrid have a long-standing interest in signing Mbappe and almost signed the former Monaco player in 2021 while Kane has also emerged as a target this summer following Karim Benzema's decision to leave the Bernabeu to join Saudi Arabia champions Al Ittihad.

Both Mbappe and Kane enjoyed prolific seasons, with France captain Mbappe scoring 41 goals across competitions and Kane netting 32.

France's victory follows wins over the Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland in March and leaves them on a maximum nine points from three games in qualifying Group B.

They are three points better off than Greece, who beat Republic of Ireland 2-1 in Athens on Friday and have a game in hand.

France host Greece on Monday, while the Netherlands – currently involved in the Nations League finals – have three points from two games.

England, meanwhile, top Group C following earlier wins over European champions Italy and Ukraine.

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

The National selections

Al Ain

5pm: Bolereau
5.30pm: Rich And Famous
6pm: Duc De Faust
6.30pm: Al Thoura​​​​​​​
7pm: AF Arrab​​​​​​​
7.30pm: Al Jazi​​​​​​​
8pm: Futoon

Jebel Ali

1.45pm: AF Kal Noor​​​​​​​
2.15pm: Galaxy Road
2.45pm: Dark Thunder
3.15pm: Inverleigh​​​​​​​
3.45pm: Bawaasil​​​​​​​
4.15pm: Initial
4.45pm: Tafaakhor

Marathon results

Men:

 1. Titus Ekiru(KEN) 2:06:13 

2. Alphonce Simbu(TAN) 2:07:50 

3. Reuben Kipyego(KEN) 2:08:25 

4. Abel Kirui(KEN) 2:08:46 

5. Felix Kemutai(KEN) 2:10:48  

Women:

1. Judith Korir(KEN) 2:22:30 

2. Eunice Chumba(BHR) 2:26:01 

3. Immaculate Chemutai(UGA) 2:28:30 

4. Abebech Bekele(ETH) 2:29:43 

5. Aleksandra Morozova(RUS) 2:33:01  

About Takalam

Date started: early 2020

Founders: Khawla Hammad and Inas Abu Shashieh

Based: Abu Dhabi

Sector: HealthTech and wellness

Number of staff: 4

Funding to date: Bootstrapped

German intelligence warnings
  • 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
  • 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
  • 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250 

Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution

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THE SPECS

Engine: 1.6-litre turbo

Transmission: six-speed automatic

Power: 165hp

Torque: 240Nm

Price: From Dh89,000 (Enjoy), Dh99,900 (Innovation)

On sale: Now

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

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Pakistanis%20at%20the%20ILT20%20
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Tips to avoid getting scammed

1) Beware of cheques presented late on Thursday

2) Visit an RTA centre to change registration only after receiving payment

3) Be aware of people asking to test drive the car alone

4) Try not to close the sale at night

5) Don't be rushed into a sale 

6) Call 901 if you see any suspicious behaviour

Updated: June 17, 2023, 5:44 AM