Salvador: France are on the brink of reaching the World Cup last-16 after their emphatic 5-2 win over Switzerland here on Friday (Saturday in India) kept them in control of Group E.
The French backed up their opening 3-0 win over Honduras by racing into a 2-0 lead as Olivier Giroud’s 16th-minute header was followed by Blaise Matuidi’s goal just 66 seconds later.
Diminutive right-winger Mathieu Valbuena put the result beyond doubt with France’s third just before the break. Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema missed a first half penalty, but then netted their fourth before Newcastle United’s midfielder Moussa Sissoko also claimed a second half goal.
Only the heroics of Swiss goalkeeper Diego Benaglio prevented more French goals before Blerim Dzemaili and Granit Xhaka scored late consolation goals.
The Swiss, who have not beaten France since 1992, may now need to beat Honduras next Wednesday (Thursday in India) to qualify for the last-16.
On the anniversary of their infamous strike at South Africa 2010, France put themselves amongst the World Cup favourites.
Swiss coach Ottmar Hitzfeld was forced into an early change when centre-back Steven von Bergen had to leave the field with a heavy cut over his left eye.
Giroud, back in for Antoine Griezmann after spending most of the Honduras win on the bench, wasted little time in repaying Deschamps’ faith for the opening goal.
He met Valbuena’s floated corner and his looping header beat Benaglio despite the goalkeeper getting an outstretched glove to the ball.
The French doubled their lead 66 seconds later as Benzema snapped up a stray pass, charged into the Swiss half and put away Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Matuidi, who fired inside Benaglio’s near post.
There was drama in the 31st minute when Swiss defender Johan Djourou was aharshly adjudged to have fouled Benzema to give away a penalty, but his spot-kick was blocked by Benaglio and Cabaye’s follow-up hit the crossbar.
France’s third goal was textbook counter-attacking as Benzema claimed the ball after a Swiss corner and passe dto Rafael Varane who put Giroud into space on the left wing.
Without a defender near him, the Arsenal star sprinted away and squared for Valbuena at the far post to make it 3-0 after 40 minutes.
Benzema made up for his first-half penalty miss when he fired home replacement Paul Pogba’s chip over the top midway through the second-half.
He then turned provider by putting Sissoko in space and the midfielder smashed his shot into the left-hand corner with 17 minutes remaining for France’s fifth.
Ecuador moved into second place in Group E as two goals from Enner Valencia handed them a 2-1 win over Honduras in Curitiba.
Honduras had looked on course for their first ever World Cup win when Carlo Costly fired them in front on 31 minutes, but Valencia levelled from close range just three minutes later.
And the striker headed home the winner from Walter Ayovi’s free kick 25 minutes from time. (AFP)