France Trashes Bulgaria 4 - 1 In World Cup Qualifiers

• FULL-TIME! France come from a goal behind to win 4-1 at Stade de France, with Gameiro scoring twice on his first start for Les Bleus since 2011. Payet and Griezmann grabbed the other goals, which give Deschamps' men their first win of their World Cup qualifying campaign. That's all that we have time for, we hope to see you again next time.

• 90'+3'

  Fekir bends in a corner from the right-hand side, but the visiting defence clear. Instead of going straight back on the offensive, Les Bleus stroke the ball around at the back.
• 90'+1'

  There are three minutes of stoppage time in the French capital.
• 89'

  The home fans are urging their players over the line, with the crowd full of French flags which are being waved in unison. This has been a leisurely outing for the hosts, after what promised to be a tough game following Bulgaria's early penalty.
• 87'

  France threaten down the right-hand side yet again, with Sissoko offering real energy even at this stage of proceedings. Deschamps' men are closing out a very convincing victory, with their fans set to go home very happy indeed.
• 85'

  Fekir is released down the right flank, but the substitute is promptly robbed of possession while trying to get to the byline. Stoyanov is in no rush to take a late goal-kick, as Bulgaria would be happy for the final whistle to be blown right now.
• 
  83'

  SubstitutionAntoine GriezmannNabil Fekir
  Griezmann is given a standing ovation as he leaves the field, with Fekir given the chance to impress during the dying embers of the game.
• 81'

  We're into the final 10 minutes in Stade de France, with France in total control. Gignac is slipped in down the right-hand side, but an attempted cross into Griezmann is cut out by A. Aleksandrov. Bulgaria are having to continue to defend well until the very end.
• 79'

  Sidibe breaks down the right and bends in a cross, but it evades everyone! Griezmann tries to steal in and score at the back post, but a sliding clearance from A. Aleksandrov denies him. France are still pushing for another goal.
• 77'

  POST! Matuidi is fed possession and drives into the penalty area, but the PSG midfielder can only sweep an attempted finish onto the foot of the right-hand post! Sidibe follows up with a shot, but it is deflected wide for a corner.
• 
  76'

  SubstitutionMihail AleksandrovTodor Nedelev
  M. Aleksandorov takes his leave, with Nedelev introduced into the fray.
• 74'

  Koscielny intercepts a pass intelligently in front of Tonev, as France continue to just look a few steps ahead of their opposition for the night. Griezmann spins in a pocket of space in between the lines, but an attempted pass into Gignac's feet is cut out.
• 72'

  SubstitutionKevin GameiroAndré-Pierre Gignac
  Gameiro is withdrawn by Deschamps, with Gignac given 20 minutes to impress.
• 72'

  Bulgaria manage to win a corner on the left flank, but an inswinging delivery heads almost straight out of play at the back post for a goal-kick. There is then a stoppage in play, as it appears that Dyakov has picked up a little groin niggle.
• 70'

  Stoyanov is forced into a nervous save, after a long-range shot from Sissoko. The Bulgarian goalkeeper hasn't look too confident so far tonight. Gameiro races into the clear moments later, but a deflection off a recovering defender stops the ex-Lorient striker's attempt from heading on target.
• 68'

  SubstitutionIvelin PopovAleksandar Tonev
  I. Popov is replaced by Tonev for the away side, as Hubchev looks to freshen things up.
• 68'

  Griezmann escapes down the right-hand side, but a sliding tackle from Pirgov ensures that the Atletico forward can't have another important involvement in this contest. The visitors are making some changes in an attempt to revitalise their line-up, but not long remains for the substitutes to make a difference.
• 66'

  France stroke possession around at their own pace, with the atmosphere being more of a friendly one, than competitive. Pogba gives away the ball in the middle of the park, but Sidibe is quick to race across and take control back again for Les Bleus.
• 64'

  S. Popov is unable to prevent a corner on the right-hand side for Bulgaria, with Payet able to whip in a cross. Varane picks up the scraps and drives to the byline, but the Real Madrid defender's cut-back is lifted clear. Stoyanov then punches Sidibe and Kurzawa crosses away from the danger zone in quick succession.
• 62'

  SubstitutionMarcelo Nascimento da CostaDimitar Dimitrov Rangelov
  Rangelov comes into the game for the last 30 minutes for Bulgaria, with Marcelinho taking his leave.
• 61'

  Deschamps can now think about giving some other players a chance, as a three-goal lead is about as safe as things get in these kinds of games. Bulgaria just haven't put up a fight since taking the lead, with France able to completely dominate.
• 59'

  Assist Antoine Griezmann
  Griezmann is fed to the left byline by Kurzawa, but has the composure to cut back an inviting ball to his domestic team-mate.
• 59'

  Goal Kevin Gameiro
  GOOOOOOOOAL! GAMEIRO MAKES IT FOUR! The former PSG striker races into the six-yard box and fires home a simple finish, after yet more good work from Griezmann. The Atletico connection comes good again for Les Bleus! 
• 58'

  Kurzawa bends in a cross, which is half-cleared, falling to Pogba on the edge of the area. The ex-Juve midfielder shoots with a hammer-blow of a right foot, but can only watch as the ball swerves just beyond the far post with Stoyanov stood helpless.
• 57'

  With just over half an hour left to play in the French capital, Bulgaria are in a sticky situation. Long, direct passes aren't finding their intended targets for the visitors, meaning that France are pushing forward relentlessly. Sissoko leads a break for the hosts, with a Payet cross unable to provide a goalscoring opportunity as a result.
• 55'

  Stoyanov is forced into making a hurried punch of a clearance, as Gameiro bore down on goal yet again for the hosts. Griezmann and Payet have looked bright too, and there appears to be more goals in this game for Les Bleus.
• 53'

  France are looking confident in this second half, with Bulgaria having to sit deep in their shape yet again. Sibide has been a real force when driving down the right, with Sissoko bullishly doing similar. Payet breaks into the box and beats a player, but can't quite keep the ball in at the byline.
• 51'

  Pogba is fed into the penalty area by Payet, but A. Aleksandrov covers across to make a timely clearance. Moments later, Sibide wins a corner on the right-hand side, but a delivery is headed to safety by a good defensive clearance.
• 49'

  Wide from Koscielny! The Arsenal centre-back is picked out by a curling free-kick delivery, but could only guide a firm header some way wide of the left-hand post. Bulgaria need to take a long look at their marking there.
• 48'

  Bulgaria are afforded the time and space to retain possession in this second half, with France in no hurry to waste energy given their lead. The hosts already hold a 3-1 advantage, they don't need to force the issue further.
• 46'

  We are back underway in the second half in Paris! France have turned things around this evening to lead 3-1 over Bulgaria, with the hosts looking well on course for their first win of the qualifying campaign.
• HALF-TIME! France have turned it all around to sit in a comfortable position at the break, with the 3-1 scoreline looking rather ominous for Bulgaria. The visitors opened the scoring from the penalty spot, but goals since from Gameiro, Payet and Griezmann have Les Blues smiling.
• 45'

  There are two minutes of stoppage time in this first half.
• 44'

  Bulgaria enjoy a slow spell of possession, but eventually give the ball away under little pressure. Deschamps, meanwhile, is reprimanded on the touchline for the way that he is speaking to the fourth official - as many Frenchmen will have been unimpressed by this referee's first-half showing.
• 42'

  Marcelinho leads the break for the visitors, after picking up the loose ball around 35 yards from goal. The Bulgarian forward races beyond two defenders, before a tackle from Sidibe rebounds into the path of I. Popov. The away side's striker shoots ambitiously, but lifts a half-volley well over the crossbar!
• 40'

  Bulgaria were responsible for their own downfall there, with the hosts' two-goal advantage looking to have already sealed the three points at Stade de France. The away side haven't really been in the contest since taking the lead, and conceding another before half-time would be disastrous.
• 38'

  Goal Antoine Griezmann
  GOOOOOOOOOAL! GRIEZMANN MAKES IT 3-1! Pirgov is forced to make a headed clearance, after Griezmann was picked out once again by a great cross from the left-hand side, before the visitors give possession away in the next phase of play. A terrible pass from left-back is intercepted, with the Atletico forward rifling home a low finish without mercy.
• 36'

  Less than 10 minutes remain in this first half, with Gameiro looking very bright on what is his first start for Les Blues since all the way back in 2011. Bulgaria's penalty feels like an age ago, with the hosts controlling proceedings with relative ease.
• 34'

  Gameiro and Sidibe link up brilliantly down the right-hand side, with a well-placed back-heel from the former playing the substitute into the box. Just as he looked to shoot from a tight angle, however, a desperate recovering tackle from Z. Milanov denied the Monaco defender.
• 32'

  Sidibe has settled into the game easily, with France in full control at the moment. I. Popov and Marcelinho have created nothing up front, with Bulgaria's wide options forced to play very defensively indeed. The visitors don't have too many ways to earn some defensive respite.
• 30'

  Payet is felled by a cynical tackle as he attempts to break forward at pace, as Bulgaria know that they now have to be careful of a third goal killing off the contest entirely. The West Ham midfielder has been vital in the first half so far, with Deschamps' men bouncing back from conceding an early goal brilliantly.
• 28'

  Kurzawa and Payet combine down the left-hand side, but S. Popov tracks back to make a timely tackle. Bulgaria finally manage to get out of their own half, with a quick counter-attack upfield, but Marcelinho is robbed of possession while trying to be too clever with the ball against Sidibe.
• 27'

  SubstitutionBacary SagnaDjibril Sidibé
  Sagna takes his leave before the half-hour mark, with Sidibe given a chance to impress at right-back.
• 26'

  Assist Moussa Sissoko
  Sissoko drives down the left with menace, before doubling back on himself to tee up his compatriot.
• 26'

  Goal Dimitri Payet
  GOOOOOOOAL! PAYET MAKES IT 2-1! The West Ham midfielder is set back a pass from Sissoko, before bending a cross in towards the back post. It curls wickedly, however, skidding off the turf and making its way into the back of the net! Nobody else got near it!
• 25'

  Bulgaria continue to play on the defensive, even after that equaliser from Gameiro, and probably will try and get through to the half-way point without taking further damage. France are looking confident now!
• 23'

  Assist Bacary Sagna
  Sagna is afforded too much space down the right and whips in a teasing delivery.
• 23'

  Goal Kevin Gameiro
  GOOOOOOOOOAL! GAMEIRO MAKES IT 1-1! Sagna bursts down the right and bends in a great early cross. The Atletico striker darts in and plants a glancing header just inside the far upright, announcing himself back on the scene for Les Bleus in some style!
• 22'

  Pogba tries to lift a clipped pass into the path of the onrushing Kurzawa, but again the ex-Juventus midfielder's distribution is well below par. France are trying to create opportunities, but all of their personnel aren't quite reading off the same page quite yet.
• 20'

  Griezmann is found by a fantastic pass in between the lines, before the ex-Real Sociedad man dances around two challenges. He tries to slide a ball in behind for Gameiro, but Bulgaria clear. The hosts maintain their pressure, with the former Sevilla striker able to then earn a corner on the right.
• 18'

  The referee has not been very popular in the opening minutes, having given a few decisions against Les Bleus. The atmosphere is cranking up, as France look to get back into this game. All of the play is coming from the hosts, with Bulgaria pegged back very deep indeed.
• 16'

  Pogba lines up a long-range effort, but the Manchester United midfielder blasts a terrible attempt high and wide of the target. France have been the more positive of the two teams thus far, but Deschamps' men have shown nothing in the way of final ball or end product.
• 15'

  Payet is fed down the left-hand side, before the Frenchman manages to slide a low pass into Griezmann. The Atletico Madrid star looks to pick out Gameiro at the back post immediately, but Z. Milanov reads the pass and hoofs the intercepted ball clear. The home fans are making plenty of noise now!
• 14'

  Griezmann tries to escape down the right-hand side, but once again Pirgov is in his way. The Bulgarian defender appears to grab his marker around the neck and drags him to the floor, but somehow the referee points for a free-kick for the away side instead. The inexperienced centre-back is at the heart of everything so far.
• 12'

  France have had all of the possession since going behind, with the away side happy to sit back and bide their time. After managing to wriggle their way into the lead, Bulgaria are under no pressure to push on and search for a second goal quite yet.
• 10'

  Pogba opens play out to the left-hand side, with Payet allowing Kurzawa to overlap down the left. An angled cross into the penalty area finds Gameiro, but the Sevilla striker is denied by a brilliantly sliding block from Pirgov. Unbelievable defending!
• 8'

  Good build-up play from France! Gameiro is picked out racing in behind Bulgaria's back four by a clipped pass from Sagna, but the ball is slightly too heavy and rolls behind for a goal-kick. The home side are yet to get into their stride.
• 6'

  Penalty Goal Mihail Aleksandrov
  GOOOOOOOAL! M. ALEKSANDROV SCORES FROM THE SPOT! The Bulgaria midfielder takes aim well, slotting a neat finish onto the inside of the left upright. The rebound carries the ball into the back of the net and the visitors have an early lead!
• 5'

  PENALTY TO BULGARIA! G. Milanov races down the left-hand side and chops into the penalty area, forcing Sagna to stand his ground. The former Arsenal right-back tugs on the shirt of his opponent, which the referee deems to be worthy of a spot-kick!
• 4'

  Sagna wins a free-kick on the right-hand side, after being felled by a poor challenge from Pirgov. The hosts load the box with blue shirts, but Payet's delivery fails to find anybody in the penalty area. Uncharacteristcally poor from the ex-Lille midfielder.
• 2'

  Varane manages to threaten from an early corner, which was earned well by Sissoko, before Bulgaria counter-attack. Marcelinho is fed possession on the edge of the penalty area, but a poor touch from the visiting attacker allows for France to pick up the pieces.
• 1'

  We are underway in the first half at Stade de France! The hosts will be hoping to kick on from a disappointing start to the qualifying campaign, while Bulgaria attempt to remain unbeaten in Group A.
• Bulgaria substitutes: Makendzhiev, Nedyalkov, Chorbadzhiyski, Raynov, Slavchev, Mitrev, Chochev, Rangelov, Tonev, Nedelev, Bozhikov, Galabinov.
• Bulgaria starting line-up (4-4-1-1): Stoyanov; S. Popov, A. Aleksandrov, Pirgov, Z. Milanov; G. Milanov, Dyakov, Kostadinov, M. Aleksandrov; Marcelinho; I. Popov.
• France substitutes: Kante, Coman, Fekir, Martial, Sidibe, Laporte, Digne, Mandanda, Areola, Gignac, Cabaye, Kimpembe.
• France starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Lloris; Sagna, Varane, Koscielny, Kurzawa; Pogba, Matuidi; Sissoko, Griezmann, Payet; Gameiro.
• TEAM NEWS: Marcelinho gets a rare start in behind the striker, after naturalising from Brazilian a couple of years ago. Ivelin Popov is asked to lead the line and provide an attacking spark for Bulgaria, with Georgi Milanov and Svetoslav Dyakov offering experience in midfield. Dimitar Pirgov gets his debut at centre-back, with the likes of Simeon Slavchev and Ivaylo Chochev on the bench.
• TEAM NEWS: Bacary Sagna and Layvin Kurzawa are deployed at full-back, with Raphael Varane partnering Laurent Koscielny in defence due to Samuel Umtiti's injury absence. Kevin Gameiro starts his first France game in five years, with club team-mate Antoine Griezmann slotting just in behind the striker. Moussa Sissoko is out on the right, with Paul Pogba playing a deeper midfield role alongside Blaise Matuidi.
• Bulgaria were the only team to pick up a win on the opening day of Group A, which leaves France able to close the gap on top spot with a victory at Stade de France this evening. The hosts have plenty of quality on offer, while the away side will rely on the same key names who have been important to their qualification hopes over recent campaigns.
• Hello and welcome to Bulgaria's tough trip to Paris to face France, as Didier Deschamps' men look to kick on from falling at the final hurdle at Euro 2016. In their opening World Cup qualifier, Les Bleus scraped a 0-0 draw with Belarus, which has a blow to their hopes of topping the group, while tonight's visitors battled to a 4-3 win over Luxembourg.

Source: Goal.com