World Cup

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World Cup | Qualifiers

Mar 22, 2013 at 8pm UK

France
3-1
Georgia

Giroud, Valbuena, Ribery

France too strong for Georgia

By Subhankar Mondal, Reporter | 22 March 2013

Goals from Olivier Giroud, Mathieu Valbuena and Franck Ribery help France to a 3-1 home win against Georgia in their World Cup qualifier.

France have registered a comfortable 3-1 home win against Georgia in their World Cup Group I qualifier.

France's Mathieu Valbuena celebrates scoring during his side's World Cup qualifying match with Georgia on March 22, 2013 © AP Photos

Les Bleus were unlucky not to take the lead after just seven minutes when Franck Ribery saw his curling effort come off the crossbar.

The hosts continued to dominate proceedings at Stade de France in Paris and eventually went ahead in first-half injury time through Olivier Giroud.

Mathieu Valbuena put in a well-measured ball inside the Georgia penalty box that the Arsenal forward headed home.

France's Olivier Giroud heads the opening goal of his side's World Cup qualifiying match with Georgia on March 22, 2013 © AP Photos

Valbuena himself etched his name on the scoresheet just two minutes into the second half after being sent through by Ribery.

The Marseille midfielder returned the favour to his French teammate just after the hour mark, sending Ribery through to finish with ease and make it 3-0 to the former European and world champions.

Georgia pulled a goal back in the 71st minute through Aleksandre Kobakhidze, who took advantage of Mamadou Sakho's poor defending to slot home past Hugo Lloris from close range.

The result means that France have now leapfrogged Spain into top spot in Group I.