Ergys Kace curled in a free kick shortly before half time to give Albania a 1-0 lead over France in their international friendly this evening.

Olivier Giroud tried to create an early goal for the visitors as he hit the ball first time from the edge of the box, but the Arsenal striker's finish was a fraction wide.

Alexandre Lacazette also posed a threat for France, attempting to create something with a solo run before losing out on the edge of the box, while firing just over a minute later while trying to connect with a cross.

The home side started to see more of the ball as the first half progressed, resulting in a chance for Elseid Hysaj, but his long-range effort failed to force a save from Hugo Lloris.

The French keeper had to be alert a couple of minutes later as Kace tried to set up Sokol Cikalleshi with a cross from the left, but the Tottenham Hotspur captain got to it first.

Etrit Berisha was kept busy down the other end as the visitors were awarded a free kick, from which Giroud rose highest in the box to try to head in Dimitri Payet's delivery, but the keeper made a diving save.

The home side broke the deadlock just a couple of minutes before the interval as Ermir Lenjani was brought down by Giroud, allowing Kace to deliver a 25-yard free kick to the top-left corner.