Weekend Review: Mbappe seals France’s Euro spot, Rugby World Cup semifinalists set

It is another new week to review the biggest sporting stories of last weekend. Last weekend was an unusual one as there was no club football in Europe. 

Nonetheless, it was still a great one, with international football taking place. There was also the Misfit boxing series on Saturday, while the Rugby World Cup quarter-final matches took place. 

In our usual tradition, we want to look at the biggest stories from last weekend. 

Mbappe seals France’s Europ 2024 spot 

France booked their spot in next year’s Euros after they defeated Virgil Van Dijk’s Netherlands 2-1 in Amsterdam. 

Mbappe was France’s star man in the match, scoring two goals to ensure Quilindschy Hartman’s strike was nothing more but a consolation. 

The PSG star put France ahead in the seventh minute before doubling the lead in the second half with a spectacular strike from outside the box. 

Hartman did pull one back for the Oranje late in the game to set up a nervy finish, but France held on to book their place in next year’s Euro, courtesy of Mbappe’s two goals. 

Mbappe’s brace took him past Michel Platini to fourth in France’s all-time top-scoring list.

Logan Paul embarrasses Dillon Danis 

Logan Paul finally settled scores with Dillon Danis in their clash on Sunday. The two guys had been going at each other on Twitter, with Danis trolling Paul’s girlfriend Nina Agdal. 

Losing was not an option for Paul, especially after the emotional trauma Danis caused his girlfriend. The fight, however, descended into chaos, although Paul won via a disqualification. Danis was disqualified after he tried to take his opponent down with a jiu-jitsu move in the final round of their bout. 

Security was forced to swarm into the ring to separate the two fighters, with Paul's corner taking to the canvas to defend their fighter. Danis' team joined them in the ring as a mass brawl broke out. 

Security dragged both fighters back to their corners, with a sea of bodyguards between them. Danis was heard shouting face me in a 'jiu-jitsu' fight while the arena blared out I predict a riot. 

Nonetheless, legendary announcer Michael Buffer announced Paul as the winner after the brawl.
Meanwhile, in the other co-headline event, Tommy Fury beat Olajide William Olatunji, known as KSI, via a unanimous decision. 

The fight failed to live up to expectations as it was more of a hugging competition than a boxing match. 

Rugby World Cup Semi-finalists set 

Four teams are left at the Rugby World Cup following the completion of the quarter-final matches.  

Argentina, New Zealand, England and South Africa booked their places after coming through their quarter-final games. 

Argentina came from behind twice to beat Wales 29-17 and reach its third Rugby World Cup semifinal on Saturday.

The underdog Pumas were 10-0 down in the first half then 17-12 behind going into the last quarter.

They regained the lead thanks to a freshened pack that overpowered Wales for replacement prop Joel Sclavi to barge over for their first try in the 68th minute. Emiliano Boffelli’s extras made it 19-17.

Matias Moroni then pulled off a try-saving tackle on Louis Rees-Zammit with six minutes to go, and three minutes later new flyhalf Nicolas Sanchez intercepted Wales’ Sam Costelow and scooted 50 meters to secure victory for the Pumas.

Meanwhile, New Zealand withstood three comebacks from top-ranked Ireland and two yellow cards to win a gripping Rugby World Cup quarterfinal 28-24 on Saturday and stay on course for a record fourth title.

The All Blacks come back to Stade de France to meet Argentina on Friday. In the third quarter-final game of the weekend, England overcame Fiji but were made to sweat as a flurry of Fiji tries in the final quarter saw them come from 14 points down to go into the final 10-minute level.

Finally, South Africa crushed France’s hopes of a maiden World Cup title after withstanding a Paris storm to emerge 29-28 winners of a furious and vintage quarterfinal.

In a contest for the ages on Sunday, a scintillating first half ended in a brutal street fight and the Springboks’ experience made the difference against a French team playing their first knockout game since coach Fabien Galthie took over four years ago.