France frustrated by well-organised Belarus as they fail to find a way through in opener

The Euro 2016 finalists fielded a much changed back five from that clash against Portugal, but the midfield and the attack was mostly the same, with plenty of experience and talent.

However too often their final ball let them down or they made the wrong decision at the wrong time - and when they did find the target they found Belarus goalkeeper Andrey Gorbunov in fantastic form.

Belarus worked extremely hard throughout the game and their defending was admirable, and even in attack they caused France a few problems with their breaks, although Steve Mandanda was never really tested.

Only one team from the group will automatically qualify for World Cup 2018 and while Belarus would never have hoped for anything more than a play-off, France will now be under pressure in their next match against Bulgaria.

Are France better without Olivier Giroud in the team? In the build-up to the Euros there was plenty of pressure on Giroud with many doubting whether he was good enough to lead the line for France. By and large he answered his critics, scoring some important goals and linking up well with Antoine Griezmann. Understandably Didier Deschamps kept faith with the Arsenal man but he endured a really frustrating night, missing a couple of glorious opportunities to score. It may just have been down to a lack of match sharpness but Giroud was a hindrance to the team more than anything. Kevin Gameiro and Anthony Martial will feel they deserve a chance to lead the last line whilst a certain Mr Benzema will still be waiting for his recall to the national set-up.

Belarus: Gorbunov 8, Polyakov 6, Politevich 6, Sivakov 7, Bordachev 5, Kalachev 7, Korzun 6, Maevski 6, Stasevich 6, Gordeichuk 5, Signevich 7. Subs: Krivets 6, Kornilenko 6

France: Mandanda 6, Sidibe 6, Varane 6, Koscielny 7, Kurzawa 6, Sissoko 5, Kante 6, Pogba 5, Griezmann 7, Giroud 4, Martial 5. Sub: Payet 6, Dembele 6, Gameiro 6

33' - CHANCE! Martial finds some space on the left after some nice link-up play with Griezmann and Pogba and he picks out Giroud. The Arsenal man's header is deflected behind for a corner which doesn't lead to anything.

35' - MISS Another chance for Giroud as he peels away from his man to get into the box and on the end of a ball over the top from the captain Varane. However it's all too slow and he ends up missing the ball.

53' - WONDERFUL CHANCE! Griezmann dinks the ball away from two defenders and then produces a stunning backheel to play through Giroud but the Arsenal man drags his shot wide.

58' - CROSSBAR! Payet's first involvement is to float a wonderful cross in from a corner but Giroud's header clips the bar and goes over.

68' - CHANCE! Giroud and Sissoko link up well on the right with the latter sending a good ball in but Griezmann is denied again by Gorbunov

This is the first time in five games that France have managed to keep a clean sheet against Belarus.

France have lost just one out of their last 13 games, that loss of course being against Portugal in the final of the European Championships.