France overcome Kazakhstan challenge to win 2-0 in FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifier
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France Vs Kazakhstan
France registered a comfortable 2-0 win over Kazakhstan in their second FIFA World Cup qualifier match. An Ousmane Dembele goal and an own goal from Serhi Malyi in the first half gave France all 3 points.
France slipped up in their first game against Ukraine as they failed to get all 3 points against lesser opponents. France moved top of the standings with four points, ahead of Bosnia, who they face away on Wednesday, Ukraine and Finland.
Kylian Mbappe missed a penalty but France never looked troubled throughout the match
In a first half devoid of chances for the most part, it was the visitors that broke the deadlock on 19 minutes. Anthony Martial turned well in midfield before releasing Dembele, who coolly finished into the bottom corner past a despairing Aleksandr Mokin.
Les Bleus managed to double their lead just before the half-time whistle when Serhiy Malyi – who had just forced a corner with one of the best goal-line clearances you’re ever likely to see – headed into his own net from the subsequent Antoine Griezmann delivery.
France were never threatened and had a big opportunity to add a third in the 76th minute, but Mbappe’s spot-kick was saved by Aleksandr Mokin.
“The job is done. We could have scored more goals if we had been more clinical after the break,” coach Didier Deschamps said.
France midfielder Paul Pogba said Kazakhstan proved to be worthy opponents on an artificial pitch in a covered stadium. “Kazakhstan never gave up. Everybody thought they’d let five goals in but that was not the case at all,” he said.
France will face Bosnia Herzegovina in their 3rd World Cup qualifying match on the 1st of April.
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