France rise to Group I summit with Georgia win

Goals from Olivier Giroud, Mathieu Valbuena and Franck Ribéry earned France a solid win against Georgia.

Giroud's header just before half-time and Valbuena's strike shortly after it killed off Temuri Ketsbaia's side, who suffered further pain at the hands of the impressive Ribéry before Alexander Kobakhidze pulled one back. The win, coupled with Spain's surprise draw at home to Finland, meant Les Bleus moved two points clear in Group I.

The first half was one-way traffic from the off, Ribéry rattling the visitors' crossbar after a fine solo run inside three minutes before Karim Benzema forced Giorgi Loria into a good save from close range.

Georgia reacted, Aleksandr Amisulashvili and Kobakhidze going close, but it was France that broke the deadlock in first-half added time as Giroud met Valbuena's free-kick with a powerful header past Loria. The Olympique de Marseille playmaker then turned scorer shortly after the restart, swivelling and hitting a half-volley beyond the goalkeeper.

A minute past the hour Ribéry found a finish to another dazzling run to put the game beyond the visitors, although Les Bleus were caught out trying to add to their lead, allowing Kobakhidze to reduce the arrears in a rare Georgian counter.

Spain visit Stade de France on Tuesday seeking to regain top spot. "Our aim is to stay top after that game and especially after the last group game," said France coach Didier Deschamps. "It's surprising to hear that Finland drew in Spain. It shows that nothing is easy at the top level."