PARIS: Defending champion France scraped a 1-0 win at Bosnia-Herzegovina to maneuver 4 factors clear in World Cup qualifying, after Ukraine drew 1-1 at house to Kazakhstan within the different Group D sport on Wednesday.
Forward Antoine Griezmann’s good header on the hour mark settled a good match, placing the French in control of the group regardless of not taking part in nicely in any of its three video games. Ukraine is second with three factors from as many video games because it tries to qualify for subsequent 12 months’s event in Qatar.
France had a brief turnaround so Bosnia-Herzegovina clearly seemed the more energizing facet in Sarajevo, having not performed final weekend whereas Les Bleus have been successful 2-0 in Kazakhstan.
Kylian Mbappe had a aim dominated out for offside within the third minute, however total the Paris Saint-Germain striker made little impression in one other disappointing efficiency that contrasted along with his robust membership type.
Led by Barcelona midfielder Miralem Pjanic, the hosts improved as France labored and had veteran goalkeeper Hugo Lloris to thank for getting in degree on the break.
Midway by way of the primary half, the Tottenham No. 1 stored out proper again Darko Todorovic’s stinging shot, having made a good higher save to dam a downward header from a nook.
The result’s crucial factor, clearly when it comes to how we performed we are able to do higher, France coach Didier Deschamps mentioned. We didnt play as we should always have completed within the first half, and Hugo made a terrific save.
With France struggling to create something, Deschamps introduced on middle ahead Olivier Giroud within the 58th to associate Griezmann in assault and unsettle the house protection.
Two minutes later, Griezmann discovered area close to the entrance submit to move in Adrien Rabiot’s whipped cross from the left for his thirty fifth worldwide aim.
It moved Griezmann one away from David Trezeguet and into fourth place on France’s scoring listing behind Michel Platini (41), Giroud (44) and Thierry Henry (51), and underlined his return to type in a tough season with Barcelona.
UKRAINE HELD AGAIN
Three video games, three attracts for Ukraine.
Striker Roman Yaremchuk, who has been scoring usually for Belgian facet Gent this season, put Ukraine forward in Kiev after 20 minutes.
It was Yaremchuk’s seventh aim for the nationwide staff and first since netting towards Germany final November in a Nations League match.
But midfielder Serikzhan Muzhikov equalized within the 59th for Kazakhstan, which is in final place with one level from two video games.
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