Strike quartet get France back on track

Four France strikers found the net as the FIFA World Cup finalists moved level on points with Scotland at the top of UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying Group B with a solid win against the Faroe Islands in Sochaux.

Early advantage
Raymond Domenech's side had lost in Scotland on Saturday, but were quickly into their stride at the Stade Bonal as Louis Saha converted Thierry Henry's downward header with just over a minute gone. Les Bleus went on to seize control of the match and might have doubled their advantage twice through Saha, who first shot wide then drew a save from Jákup Mikkelsen. Instead it was Henry who got the second goal in the 22nd minute, Willy Sagnol providing the cross from the right for the striker to head in.

Toulalan threat
Julien Escudé and Jérémy Toulalan were making their debuts and the latter would have marked the occasion with a goal had it not been for a brilliant save from Mikkelsen, who kept out the Lyon man's 25-metre drive. The Faroese No1 was the busiest man on the pitch, saving from Lilian Thuram, Saha again and Franck Ribéry while Toulalan and Henry both went close. Domenech made two changes midway through the second half, bringing on David Trezeguet and Nicolas Anelka for Henry and Saha, which provided fresh impetus for Les Bleus.

Trezeguet on target
Anelka shot over within a minute and Florent Malouda was denied by the impressive Mikkelsen, but the replacements combined to break the goalkeeper's resistance after 75 minutes. Trezeguet nodded on Malouda's corner and Anelka stabbed in from close range, before first Sagnol and then Malouda carved out the opportunities for Trezeguet to find the net twice in the final 12 minutes. France now have nine points and next visit Lithuania on 24 March while the Faroese, who have conceded 18 goals in losing their four games, are at home to Ukraine the same day.