Sports
13:07, 10-Sep-2018
Giroud winner lifts France to top of Nations League group
Updated
12:24, 13-Sep-2018
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France striker Olivier Giroud ended a run of 10 international games without a goal by netting a stunning winner as the world champions claimed a deserved 2-1 victory over the Netherlands in their Nations League clash on Sunday.
The night started with a rousing rendition of La Marseillaise as France played their first home fixture since lifting the World Cup in July, and ended with a comfortable victory for the hosts at the Stade de France.
The excellent Kylian Mbappe set France on their way with a first-half opener, but forward Ryan Babel equalized for the visitors with their only meaningful shot on target.
Giroud produced a moment of magic with a superb volley 15 minutes from fulltime to seal the win, as France recorded a fifth successive victory over the Dutch.
The teams were greeted by an enormous banner that read "world champions" and covered the entirety of the pitch. That added to the sense of occasion, and Didier Deschamps' side then set out with an intensity and an urgency almost unlike anything seen in Russia.
Mbappe forced a good save from Netherlands goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen inside 50 seconds, and his performance here showed why he is tipped as a future Ballon d'Or winner.
The brilliant 19-year-old got the breakthrough in the 14th minute as he turned in a ball driven across the box by Blaise Matuidi for his eighth international goal in 2018.
The explosive Kylian Mbappe (R) got France's opener on a night of World Cup victory celebrations. /VCG Photo
The explosive Kylian Mbappe (R) got France's opener on a night of World Cup victory celebrations. /VCG Photo
The hosts looked in complete control against a Dutch side rebuilding under Ronald Koeman after failing to qualify for Euro 2016 or this year's World Cup.
It took the visitors 66 minutes to seriously threaten, as Georginio Wijnaldum found himself in behind the defence only to drag his shot wide.
But the Dutch were level just a minute after that, Kenny Tete delivering a low cross from the right for Babel – unmissable with his hair dyed red – to convert.
Giroud got the winner though, his 32nd for his country seeing him move one clear of Zinedine Zidane's tally in a France shirt.
After their draw in Germany, France are firmly in control in the three-team Group 1 of League A in the Nations League, with the group winners going through to a four-team final tournament next June.
But for them the evening was always about the post-game festivities first and foremost.
(With input from agencies)