KINGSLEY COMAN, CLEMENT Lenglet and Wissam Ben Yedder were on target as a below-par France registered a 3-0 win over Andorra in Euro 2020 qualifying at the Stade de France on Tuesday.
Fresh from his two goals in Saturday’s 4-1 win over Albania, Coman opened the scoring after 18 minutes with a cool finish.
Antoine Griezmann missed his second penalty in three days soon after but teed up Lenglet early in the second half to double Les Bleus’ advantage, before Ben Yedder’s late third.
The win means France are level on 15 points with Group H leaders Turkey, three points ahead of third-place Iceland.
France were far from their fluid best in the opening stages, with their less illustrious opponents comfortably keeping them at arm’s length.
They did find a way through in the 18th minute, though, Coman latching onto Jonathan Ikone’s pass, taking a touch and then clipping over Josep Gomes.
Moments after pawing away Olivier Giroud’s instinctive half-volley, the Andorra goalkeeper had a moment to savour.
Moises San Nicolas pulled down Griezmann in the area in the 28th minute, but the Barcelona forward saw his resulting spot-kick superbly kept out by Gomes.
Perhaps frustrated with his side’s inability to break down Andorra’s stubborn defence, Raphael Varane tried his luck from 30 yards. Gomes was equal to it, though, tipping over to ensure the visitors went into the break just one goal behind.
France started the second half in more positive fashion and were rewarded in the 52nd minute when Lenglet headed home Griezmann’s free-kick from six yards.
Gomes then kept out Coman’s header, which looked destined for the top corner, before Moussa Sissoko thumped a header of his own against the crossbar from point-blank range.
Coman then scooped an effort onto the crossbar before substitute Ben Yedder added a third in stoppage time, slotting home after Nabil Fekir’s free-kick had been parried into his path.
With the warm-up games out of the way, Murray, Bernard and Gavan discuss the renewed cause for optimism, impressive individual player form, and a potential quarter-final versus either South Africa or New Zealand.
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All three are absolutely huge players for Ireland, so hopefully they all pull through
The physically that Ryan can bring when he’s on it, is hard to replace. I hope it’s just a knock that he will bounce back from quickly.
With the exception of Cian Healy, it strikes me that Farrell has more faith in what he’s already got in the squad, even to the extent of moving players out of position, than in bringing anyone else to the party at this stage.
@John Morris: I think we’d need all 3 wingers injured before we need to bring anyone else in from outside given we still have JOB to put in. (Calvin Nash next cab on the rank for me based on last season’s form)
@John Morris: Agree 100%. I would bet that Hansen & Lowe will make it but I fear this maybe the end for Ryan. Body language said it all as each team member met him afterwards. Hope I’m wrong.
McCarthy would be my replacement as I don’t see Baird as a lock.
On a more positive side, our front row are inching closer to full tilt which is exactly what we need to put Kiwis on back foot.