France 2 - 1 Sweden: France hit back to pull clear of Sweden

Posted Saturday, November 12, 2016 by PA

France moved three points clear of Sweden at the top of World Cup Qualifying European Group A as they came from behind to beat them 2-1 thanks to goals from Paul Pogba and Dimitri Payet.

The away side grabbed the lead at the Stade de France 10 minutes into the second half via Emil Forsberg's free-kick.

That effort was cancelled out three minutes later as Pogba headed home a cross from Payet, who then seized on a spillage from Sweden goalkeeper Robin Olsen to strike the winner in the 65th minute.

After the two teams had gone into this contest locked at the top of the group with identical records from three games, France are now outright leaders on 10 points from four matches.

There was an emotional atmosphere around the ground just before kick-off as a silence was held for the victims of the Paris terror attacks that took place on November 13 last year.

After the game got under way, Pogba sent an early shot wide and Olsen dived to punch away a Payet cross that was seeking out Olivier Giroud.

John Guidetti was then unable to make the most of an opportunity that came his way at the other end, getting a boot to Ludwig Augustinsson's cross right in front of goal but failing to control the ball and allowing Raphael Varane to clear.

France pressed again as Payet tried his luck with a couple of efforts, one of which brought a fairly comfortable save out of Olsen, and then teed up Pogba, whose strike curled just over.

The hosts were then grateful to Laurent Koscielny as he made a fine block in the box, getting in the way of Ola Toivonen's shot.

Antoine Griezmann tried to steer a header in just before the break from Djibril Sidibe's cross, but saw the ball go the wrong side of the post.

And France's frustration grew after the interval as Griezmann and Giroud fluffed further headed attempts and Payet struck a free-kick too high before Forsberg put Sweden in front with a dead-ball effort of his own, Hugo Lloris taking a step the wrong way as it flew over the wall, past him and in.

That prompted an impressive response from Didier Deschamps' men, who swiftly equalised when Pogba converted from Payet's free-kick delivery.

Olsen then survived letting a Varane shot squirm from his grasp and dealt with a low Griezmann shot before making an error that allowed France to score again.

Marked by Griezmann, Olsen tried to claim a cross but failed to hold on to it and the loose ball was tucked home by Payet.

Jimmy Durmaz tried to level moments later but saw Lloris grab a shot that was heading off target anyway.

Griezmann drilled just wide late on, before Sweden passed up a decent chance as substitute Isaac Kiese Thelin missed with his shot while closely marked by Koscielny.