FRANCE have secured a narrow win in Bosnia in World Cup qualifying.
Antoine Griezmann struck on the hour to ensure the French go top of their group.
THAT’S ALL FROM SARAJEVO
France picked up an important win over Bosnia & Herzegovina in Sarajevo to increase their lead at the top of Group D.
The Tricolores struggled to create threats against a rock-solid Bosnia in the first half and even came close to conceding.
Anel Ahmedhodzic got a header following a stunning corner-kick by Miralem Pjanic and forced a marvellous save from Hugo Lloris.
But the reigning world champions pulled it together in the second half and opened the scoring with Antoine Griezmann after 60 minutes.
The Barcelona star headed a brilliant cross from Adrien Rabiot from the left wing and gave Ibrahim Sehic no chance.
That’s all from us here at SunSport, have a great night!
GETTY IMAGES THE MANN
Barcelona star Antoine Griezmann scored his 35th international goal for France across all competitions.
Griezmann is now the Tricolores’ fourth top scorer of all time as he overtook Juventus legend David Trezeguet.
The star forward played his 46th consecutive game and is only six goals behind Michel Platini.
Olivier Giroud is in second place in this ranking with 44 goals – just seven crackers behind record scorer Thierry Henry
GETTY IMAGES GRIEZMANN REACTS
Barcelona star Antoine Griezmann’s goal led to France’s win over Bosnia & Herzegovina.
Griezmann insisted he still has more to give to the reigning world champions.
Griezmann said after the game: ““I am very proud of my career in the France team.
“I still have more to give. We have a competition this summer, we want to go as far as possible”
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UPDATED TABLE
France still lead Group D following their second win in the World Cup qualifiers.
The Tricolores are now four points ahead of Ukraine and are the only team in the group that have won a match.
Bosnia & Herzegovina, on the other hand, are fourth with one point.
Bosnia best Kazakhstan, who are bottom of the table, on goal difference
STATS
France dominated 56.2 per cent of possession in a match that had a relatively slow tempo.
The visitors produced a total of 13 shots but only two of them were on target.
Bosnia & Herzegovina, on the other hand, got a mere four shots, two of which were on target.
It was a rather easy evening for both Ibrahim Sehic and Hugo Lloris as they only had to make three saves between them (Lloris made two)
FT: BOSNIA 0-1 FRANCE
France picked up an important win over Bosnia &Herzegovina in Sarajevo thanks to Antoine Griezmann’s winner.
Bosnia put together an impressive first half that saw the Tricolores struggling to create chances.
The hosts came close to an opener when Miralem Pjanic’s corner-kick found Anel Ahmedhodzic inside the box and his header forced a marvellous save from Hugo Lloris.
However, the reigning world champions pulled it together in the second half and broke the deadlock after 60 minutes with a fine header by Griezmann following a stunning cross from Adrien Rabiot down the left flank
GETTY IMAGES PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
REFEREE BLOWS HIS WHISTLE 20 SECONDS BEFORE THE THIRD MINUTE!
AND THAT’S ALL FROM SARAJEVO!
BOSNIA 0-1 FRANCE
90 A minimum of three minutes has been added.
France get on the counter-attack with Mbappe and the ball finds Giroud whose shot is blocked and goes out for a free-throw
BOSNIA 0-1 FRANCE
89 SUBSTITUTION
France ace Lemar makes way for Sissoko as we approach added time
BOSNIA 0-1 FRANCE
88 Griezmann is causing plenty of trouble for Bosnia’s defence when he gets on the counter-attack.
The hosts just can’t create any danger inside Lloris’ box
BOSNIA 0-1 FRANCE
86 SUBSTITUTION
A double switch by Musa as he brings on Prevljak and Gojak for Krunic and Cimirot
BOSNIA 0-1 FRANCE
85 France are moving down the wings with exceptional ease thanks to Griezmann’s runs.
But tempo has slowed down as we approach full-time
BOSNIA 0-1 FRANCE
83 France are very comfortable as we approach full-time in Sarajevo.
Bosnia are running out of ideas and stamina in the last few minutes
BOSNIA 0-1 FRANCE
80 CHANCE
Ah, that is a disappointing free-kick from, what many would suggest, a master of set pieces…
Pjanic’s shot hits France’s wall and doesn’t worry Lloris one bit!
BOSNIA 0-1 FRANCE
79 YELLOW CARD
Pogba getds booked for a rough aerial challenge with Stevanovic, shortly after the Bosnian’s introduction.
The hosts get a free-kick from a very good position!
Pjanic is getting ready…
BOSNIA 0-1 FRANCE
78 SUBSTITUTION
Bosnia make a change as Stevanovic replaces Todorovic for the last few minutes of the game
BOSNIA 0-1 FRANCE
77 Just a reminder that there is no VAR during the World Cup qualifiers.
Bosnia may be wishing it was, but both occasions weren’t clear violations
BOSNIA 0-1 FRANCE
75 Bosnia are complaining about a penalty as they get on the counter-attack with Kolasinac running the ball down the left flank.
The Arsenal loanee just manages to pass to Krunic who is brought down by Rabiot again!
BOSNIA 0-1 FRANCE
72 Krunic goes down following a challenge with Rabiot on the edge of the box.
The Bosnia ace is holding his calf and the hosts are protesting for a foul
BOSNIA 0-1 FRANCE
70 Bosnia appear disheartened after Griezmann’s opener and are now running out of options.
France are comfortable as they keep the hosts at bay thanks to some great work from their midfield
BOSNIA 0-1 FRANCE
69 YELLOW CARD
Hadziahmetovic is booked for pulling Mbappe down to the ground.
That was a tactical foul by the Bosnia ace
BOSNIA 0-1 FRANCE
68 France are moving the ball more comfortably down midfield and are finding it easier to get into Bosnia’s box.
But Mbappe continues to be absent from all the action
BOSNIA 0-1 FRANCE
66 YELLOW CARD
Lemar gets booked for a rough challenge on Krunic down in midfield
BOSNIA 0-1 FRANCE
65 Following a brilliant first half, Sehic couldn’t prevent an opener from France.
This is how crucial the Bosnia goalkeeper has been for the hosts in the first half
BOSNIA 0-1 FRANCE
63 As it stands, France must be feeling comfortable as Bosnia were focused on defending throughout the match.
But the visitors still need to push for another goal as the hosts remain dangerous on the counter-attack
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
