Bayern trio Kingsley Coman, Benjamin Pavard and Corentin Tolisso all started as France gained confidence for next year's EURO 2020 tournament with a 2-1 win over Moldova on Thursday night. The reigning world champions were not under great pressure in the match in Saint-Denis as their place in the finals was already secure before kick-off following the goalless draw between rivals Turkey and Iceland earlier in the evening.
After Vadim Rata gave the visitors a shock lead in only the ninth minute at the Stade de France, all the action was concentrated on one goal. Pavard was inches away from scoring the equaliser in the 11th minute with a long-range shot, before Raphael Varane eventually drew Les Bleus level. The hosts continued to pass up chances in the second half until Olivier Giroud netted the deserved winner with a 79th-minute penalty.
The win over the bottom-of-the-table Moldovians leaves France at the top of Group H on 22 points, two ahead of Turkey and six ahead of Iceland, who can no longer qualify. For Didier Deschamps' side, the final matchday is therefore just about retaining top spot and the better seeding in the draw that goes with it.
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