Paul Pogba powers France to win over Netherlands with 30-yard strike

Paul Pogba scored from 30 yards to give France a 1-0 victory over the Netherlands in their World Cup qualifier.

The Manchester United midfielder, who has struggled for form this season, beat Maarten Stekelenburg – who should probably have done better – with a swerving drive in the 30th minute.

It was the only goal of the game and means France now top Group A alongside Sweden on seven points, while Danny Blind’s team are third with four.

The hosts took until the 40th minute to have a shot, with Vincent Janssen's attempt being blocked.

They also had some tough luck with injuries, forced to replace Quincy Promes after just quarter of an hour before Georginio Wijnaldum picked up what looked like a hamstring injury in the second half.

However, France failed to capitalise on their dominance, and might have been made to pay had Hugo Lloris's reflexes not been in prime form as he batted away Memphis Depay's shot in the dying seconds.

It's early days, but surely the Netherlands aren't going to miss out on another major tournament? They struggled to attack and lacked presence up front even when they brought on Bas Dost for the last half-hour.

Laurent Koscielny (France). Exciting going forward, solid at the back.

Netherlands - Stekelenburg 6, Karsdorp 8, Bruma 6, Van Dijk 7, Blind 6, Propper 7, Strootman 7, Wijnaldum 6, Promes 5, Janssen 7, Klaasen 7. Subs - Veltman, de Vrij, Kongolo, Willems 6, Clasie, Toornstra, Vilhena, Dost 6, de Jong, Depay 6, Zoet, Vorm.

France - Lloris 7, Koscielny 9, Sidibe 7, Kurzawa 8, Varane 7, Pogba 8, Payet 7, Gameiro 8, Matuidi 7, Sissoko 7, Griezmann 8. Subs - Laporte, Gignac 7, Martial 7, Fekir, Kimpembe, Cabaye, Mandanda, Digne, Corchia, Coman, Kante 7, Areola.

30' GOAL! And that is an absolute screamer of a goal from Paul Pogba. Koscielny surged through the middle and continued his run down the flank, but the ball had found its way to Pogba, who let loose from range with a swerving shot that Stekelenburg got a touch to.

44' SHOUT FOR A PENALTY! Very casual square ball as Janssen nips in and tries to get round the France defenders streaming into the box to rectify the mistake. He lashes his shot against the prone Koscielny, and it does strike his hand, but that's an accidental handball and there'll be no penalty given.

66' CLOSE! Pogba should have done better there - a header from close range, blocked well by Stekelenburg this time.

72' WASTED CHANCE! Curling free kick from Memphis on the left, hoping to deceive Lloris. He does not, and the goalkeeper happily gathers the ball.

88' SAVE! Instinctive reaction save from Lloris! Janssen had flicked it on to Memphis, who let fly with his left, and the keeper did very well to get that away.

The Netherlands have failed to score for the first time in 12 games, with their last blank previous coming against Turkey.

Paul Pogba scored his first goal for France from outside the box in his 60th attempt.