By Daily Sports on November 15, 2019
Olivier Giroud converted a late penalty as France staggered to a 2-1 win against a Moldova side ranked 175th in the world on Thursday hours after securing a place at Euro 2020.
World champions France, who lost the Euro 2016 final as hosts to Portugal, were guaranteed a ticket to next year’s tournament before kick-off in Paris following a 0-0 draw between Turkey and Iceland.
However their hopes of turning the final home qualifier into an evening of celebration at a chilly Stade de France were compromised when Vadim Rata punished abject defending to give Moldova a shock ninth-minute lead.
Raphael Varane levelled for France 10 minutes before halftime, triggering furious protests from Moldovan players and their coach who argued goalkeeper Alexei Koselev was fouled by Giroud.
The Chelsea forward grabbed the winner from the spot 11 minutes from time after Lucas Digne was cut down in the box to leave France two points clear of Turkey at the top of Group H.
France round out their qualification campaign away to Albania on Sunday in what will be Didier Deschamps’ 100th match in charge while Turkey travel to Andorra.
Deschamps recalled Kylian Mbappe and N'Golo Kante from injury here while Giroud was handed a start despite playing just 20 minutes for Chelsea since last month’s international break. (Goal)
•PHOTO: Oliver Giroud
Source Daily Sports
Posted November 15, 2019
You may also like...
Onana recalled as Cameroon fight for Cup of...
Eagles to open 2017 with Cote d’Ivoire friendly...
NPFL AGM Ratifies Amendments To Rules For Stricter...
2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup: Full List Of...
54,000 youths compete for laurels as 19th NNPC/Shell...
Wan-Bissaka Pleads Guilty To Driving Offences
Man City need to 'step up' as striker's goal run ends
'People are afraid' - why 'juggernaut' Arsenal are team to beat
Aspinall requires further tests on eye injury in UK
Real Madrid impress but Vinicius tension grows - Clasico talking points
Rooney says struggling Liverpool lack leadership
NOC To Host FinalIOC Advanced Sport Management Course Module
4 Teams Lock Horns For N10m Tiger 5-Aside Football Battle In Awka
Nezianya, Odikpo, Balepo, Ndukuba, Chukwuleta For SWAN @60 Veterans’ Awards
Anambra FA Crisis: Igbokwe, 61 Years Old Football Administrator Protests Arrest, Detention
Gala European record thrills Osimhen
La Liga: 'I am enjoying football at Barca', Rashford eyes permanent move
CAF nomination thrills Flying Eagles captain
Most Read
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,273 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (54,476 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,428 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,036 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,015 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (51,988 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (51,818 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,397 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,512 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,052 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,491 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (46,953 views)