SOCCER:THE NETHERLANDS thrashed Hungary 4-0 in Budapest to maintain their 100 per cent record in Euro 2012 qualifying group E last night with Spurs midfielder Rafael Van der Vaart opening the scoring after just eight minutes.

Wesley Sneijder set up Van der Vaart for a shot from 13 metres out that goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly could only tip into the left corner.

Ibrahim Afellay should have doubled the lead in the 32nd minute but the Barcelona striker made no mistake with his second chance on the stroke of half-time.

Robin van Persie assisted Dirk Kuyt in the 54th for the third and then grabbed his 20th goal in 53 games for the 2010 World Cup runners-up eight minutes later.

France cruised into a four-point lead at the top of Euro 2012 Group D qualifying after goals by Philippe Mexes and Yoann Gourcuff earned a 2-0 win in Luxembourg. France have 12 points from five games and lead Belarus, who travel to third-placed Albania today, by four points.

Last night’s game witnessed the international returns of World Cup rebels Patrice Evra and Franck Ribery. The two former rebels started Friday’s match at the tiny Josy Barthel stadium, after being booed by 2,000 French fans who had crossed the border.

With captain Alou Diarra on the bench, Samir Nasri was given the skippers armband and started as the playmaker with Gourcuff as the holding midfielder.

Nasri delivered a perfect free kick into the box for Mexes to head home in the 28th minute of a dreary clash.

France scored again 18 minutes from time when Gourcuff volleyed in a Ribery cross.