Olivier Giroud bags brace as France survive scare in Luxembourg

Olivier Giroud scored twice as France stayed top of Group A thanks to a 3-1 win away in Luxembourg.

France took the lead with an easy chance for Olivier Giroud, but they conceded a shock goal when Blaise Matuidi pulled down Da Mota in the penalty box. Aurelien Joachim scored confidently from the spot.

Minutes later, France had a penalty of their own which Antoine Griezmann converted to give his side the lead.

In the second half, France struggled to break down their opponents as they failed to add either speed or numbers in attack, until Giroud grabbed his second.

France's win pulled them ahead of Sweden at the top of Group as they reached 13 points, with Netherlands trailing six points back after their defeat to Bulgaria.

France were oddly complacent. Group A is no sure thing, with the Netherlands and Sweden two other dangerous teams in a relatively tough group. The match against Luxembourg could have been easy if France raised the tempo and tried, but they seemed content to toil and slog instead. They appear to be missing a leader like Patrice Evra.

Olivier Giroud (France): As everyone around him struggled to raise their game, Giroud did all that was asked of him. He was given three chances, two of which were simple, and he scored twice. In games like this when everyone else is uninspired, your striker needs to take everything he can.

Luxembourg: Moris 6, Jans 6, Chanot 6, Martins 6, Malget 6, Mutsch 6, Gerson 6, Philipps 6, Da Mota 7, Bensi 6, Joachim 7. Subs: Schon 6, Bohnhert 6, Rodrigues 6.

France: Lloris 6, Mendy 6, Umtiti 6, Koscielny 6, Sidibe 7, Kante 6, Matuidi 6, Payet 5, Griezmann 6, Dembele 7, Giroud 7. Subs: Jallet 6, Mbappe 6, Rabio 6.

28' - GOAL! Luxembourg 0-1 France. Giroud scores - Sidibe gets down the right wing after Griezmann flicks the ball into his path. He pulls it back and gives Giroud an almost empty net to clip his finish toward.

32' - PENALTY! Matuidi trips Da Mota, pulling him back in the box after a corner is put back into the box.

34' - GOAL! Luxembourg 1-1 France. Joachim scores - Joachim strides up calmly, sending Lloris one way and rolls the ball into the other side.

36' - PENALTY! Sidibe gets past Da Mota in the box on the right, and Da Mota clips his heels from behind. He's booked.

37' - GOAL! Luxembourg 1-2 France. Griezmann scores - Griezmann powers a shot that Schon gets a hand to, diving to his left, but can't keep out of the net.

77' - GOAL! Luxembourg 1-3 France. Giroud scores - Kante fires out a pass to Mendy on the left, and Giroud meets his header to send the 'keeper the wrong way, to seal victory.

Joachim's goal was the first Luxembourg have scored against France in 39 years.