Group A favourites France did not have it all their own way against Luxembourg, but Didier Deschamps’ side took another step towards Russia.
France recorded an unconvincing 3-1 World Cup qualifying win over a tenacious Luxembourg, who gave their illustrious opponents a scare after drawing level at Stade Josy Barthel.
Didier Deschamps fielded an array of attacking talent as France laboured to restore their outright lead in Group A after Sweden’s 4-0 thrashing of Belarus earlier on Saturday.
But it was not until the 28th minute that Olivier Giroud ended Luxembourg’s stubborn resistance with a close-range finish after the hosts had lost goalkeeper Anthony Moris to injury.
Luc Holtz’s side remained undaunted, though, and remarkably drew level after Blaise Matuidi gave away a penalty and Aurelien Joachim scored from the spot.
It did not take long for normal service to be resumed, with Antoine Griezmann also netting from 12 yards after Daniel Da Mota’s foul on Djibril Sidibe.
The Euro 2016 runners-up still could not find their rhythm in the second half, with Luxembourg sporadically threatening, while the likes of Griezmann, Dimitri Payet and Ousmane Dembele struggled to make a telling impact.
It was Giroud’s header that finally settled matters 13 minutes from time and Deschamps had the luxury of giving Monaco star Kylian Mbappe his international debut in the closing stages.
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