Kevin Gameiro hits brace as France hammer Bulgaria

Kevin Gameiro marked his first start for his country in five years with a brace as France secured a comfortable 4-1 triumph over Bulgaria at the Stade de France.

The Atletico Madrid forward, who missed out on Euro 2016, linked up brilliantly with club team mate Antoine Griezmann throughout to put Bulgaria to the sword and help Les Bleus to their first victory in Group D, having been held by Belarus in the opening match.

The visitors took a shock lead on six minutes when they were handed a penalty after Bacary Sagna felled Georgi Milanov in the area and Mihail Aleksandrov made no mistake from the spot.

However, their joy was short-lived as a quick-fire double from Didier Deschamps’ side turned the game on its head. Gameiro levelled the scores on 23 minutes with a deadly header and Dimitri Payet gave his side the lead when his intended cross ended up in the back of the net three minutes later.

Griezmann added a third goal to wrap up a hugely impressive first-half performance when he punished a defensive mistake, rifling the ball past Vladislac Stoyanov on 38 minutes.

France continued to dominate after the restart and were rewarded with a fourth goal which came on 59 minutes when Griezmann picked out Gameiro at the back post to leave his colleague with a simple tap-in. The hosts squandered a number of opportunities to grab a fifth goal to further improve their goal difference.

The win means France now have four points from their opening two games and face the Netherlands in a crunch match on Monday evening.

Forget Giroud - Gameiro and Griezmann are the answer. Didier Deschamps finally decided to give Gameiro a break and boy did it pay off. The 29-year-old formed a formidable partnership with Griezmann and the pair caused the Bulgarians all kinds of trouble.

Olivier Giroud, left out of the squad altogether, will find it extremely difficult to recover his place in attack. It begs the question – why weren’t the Atletico Madrid team mates given a chance together in the Euros?

Kevin Gameiro (France) – An obvious choice, the forward produced a world class performance. He is now a guaranteed starter in France’s match with the Netherlands.

France: Lloris 6, Sagna 7, Varane 7, Koscielny 7, Kurzawa 8, Pogba 7, Matuidi 7, Sissoko 7, Griezmann 8, Payet 8, Gameiro 9. Subs: Fekir N/A, Gignac 6.

Bulgaria: Stoyanov 5, S Popov 4, Aleksandrov 6, Kostadinov 5, I Popov 5, Marcelinho 5, Pirgov 5, G Milanov 5, Z Milanov 5, Dyakov 5. Subs: Rangelov 5, Tonev 5, Nedelev 5.

5’ - PENALTY TO BULGARIA! The visitors break through G Milanov who does brilliantly to cut in from the channel and into the penalty area. He's only stopped after Sagna hauls him back, fouling him and conceding a spot-kick!

6’ - GOAL! France 0-1 Bulgaria - Aleksandrov makes no mistake, his penalty beating Lloris, hitting off the post and into the net. What a start for the visitors who have a crucial lead!

23’ - GOAL! France 1-1 Bulgaria - He hasn't made a start in five years but Gameiro is the man who levels the scores for Les Bleus with a fantastic header! The Atletico Madrid forward does brilliantly to meet a wonderful near post cross from Sagna, leaving the goalkeeper no chance.

26’ - GOAL! France 2-1 Bulgaria - Payet fires the hosts in front in rather fortuitous fashion! The West Ham winger delivers a cross into the penalty area, no one can make a connection and it ends up in the back of the net.

38’ - GOAL! France 3-1 Bulgaria - Griezmann gets his name in the score-sheet to further extend the lead! It's terrible defending from Bulgaria who concede possession from left-back and the Atletico Madrid striker punishes them as he intercepts before rifling a shot into the back of the net.

56’ - CLOSE! Stoyanov is rooted to the spot this time as Pogba absolutely smashes a shot at goal from 20 yards but it's just wide of the target.

59’ - GOAL! France 4-1 Bulgaria - Gameiro grabs his second of the night to cap off with a delightful team goal! Kurwaza picks out Griezmann in space and the forward shows incredible vision to pick out his team mate at the back post for a simple tap-in.

76’ - POST! The woodwork denies France their fifth goal. Payet's through ball to Matuidi rips the away defence apart but he can't apply the finishing touch as his shot bounces off the post before Sidibe sends the rebound wide.

France have won their last two games against Bulgaria, as many as in their previous eight.

Five of France’s last 10 goals have been scored by Atletico Madrid players (Griezmann x4 and Gameiro).

No other player has scored more goals for France in 2016 than Antoine Griezmann (8).

Dimitri Payet has been involved in seven goals in his last nine starts for France (five goals, two assists).

Kevin Gameiro has scored three goals in his three starts for France.

France have conceded three penalties in their last 10 games, as many as in their previous 36.