France booked their place in next month’s playoffs with a 3-1 victory over Austria. The 1998 World Cup winners boasted a strike force mixed of the two Spanish giants – Real Madrid (Benzema) and Barcelona (Henry) – who both scored against the Austrians. France struggled in the World Cup 2006 qualifying rounds – until the old guard of Claude Makelele, Lillian Thuram and Zinedine Zidane helped push Les Blues to the final in Berlin.
Real Madrid’s £30Million striker Karim Benzema opened the scoring with a diving header after an excellent Florent Malouda cross on the 17th minute mark and Les Blues captain Thierry Henry doubled the advantage with a penalty after defender Fanni was blocked in the box. Austria’s man in demand Marc Janko reduced the deficit for the visitors early in the second half before French substitute striker Andre-Pierre Gignac sealed the win with a superb angled shot on 66 minutes.
Raymond Domenech was under pressure having lost the opening World Cup qualifying game 3-1 in Austria – but has helped steer France to a playoff place and keep their World Cup dream alive. France have qualified for the past three tournaments, winning the trophy in 1998, going out in the first round in 2002 and losing in the final to Italy in 2006. However, there was a moment of confusion in the closing stages when two spectators invaded the pitch and had to be removed by security – but make no mistake – Les Blues will be confident that they can qualify for the finals.
