Lyon: Double Antoine Griezmann gave France a 2-0 victory over Finland in their 2022 World Cup qualifiers on Tuesday and ended five matches without a victory for the World Cup holder.
The 30-year-old Atletico Madrid Brace striker took him with Michel Platini at 41 goals for his country – 10 behind the leader of Thierry Henry and five five Fifth Olivier Giroud.
Victory will do several ways to place the remaining memories about French traumatic losses in the punishment to Switzerland at the last 16 in this summer Euro 2020.
Three points see France extend their superiority above Finland, which has two games in hand.
France piled up on pressure on the 10 minutes of opening and forced some corners while the debutant of Theo Hernandez approached with a shot from outside the area.
Even though there are many intention to attack from the host – Karim Benzema partnered Anthony Martial in front with Griezmann tucked behind them – France is very uncertain at the initial stage.
Paul Pogba has Didier Deschamps from his chair in the 14th minute without believing when midfielder Manchester United fired feedback from the midline without a purpose above Finnish byline without a nearby French player.
The French defense also looked at Sixes and Sevens every time Finland attacked in the first round.
Benzema forced the first rescue of the meeting in the 22nd minute, his ferocious shot was handed over for the corner by Finnish Stopper Lukas Hradecky after 1-2 with Griezmann, who moved back to Atletico with a loan from Barcelona in the summer transfer window.
Benzema changed the provider three minutes later with a pleasant backheel to release Griezmann in the box.
Griezmann did not make mistakes and was rewarded with hugs and slaps behind from Deschamps.
Griezmann made him 41 for his country when he beat Hradecky at a close post to make him 2-0 in the 54th minute.
The 30-year-old had to pocket his hat-trick when the clock was beating at the hour after other great link-ups with Benzema but the curly effort widened from the post.
Benzema was rejected by his goal, the performance of the plan was appropriate because Hradecky fell well to prevent his efforts with the remaining five minutes.
The Frenchman approached the conceding of a goal because the match was close to full time as a careless background of Hernandez let it be in Teemu Pukki but Lloris saved that day.