Rampant France put five past Scotland

• France score four first-half goals in a one-sided contest in Stara Zagora
• Odsonne Edouard is responsible for the pick of them with a cute back-heeled finish
• France top Group C after Greece draw 2-2 with Russia in the other game
• Next matches: Russia v France, Greece v Scotland (Sunday)

Four goals up after 35 minutes, France stormed to the top of UEFA European Under-17 Championship Group C with an emphatic defeat of Scotland.

There was lightning and stormy weather an hour before kick-off in Stara Zagora and the goals rained in during a one-sided first half. With Scotland naming just three outfield players on the bench – a situation brought about by Lewis Morrison, Francis Ross and Iain Wilson serving suspensions – France seized the initiative from the off, captain Timothé Cognat and Bilal Boutobba pulling the strings in midfield

Nanitamo Ikone cleverly opened the scoring in the 18th minute when Scotland failed to clear their lines. Scot Gemmill's team almost fashioned what would have been an audacious equaliser within 60 seconds. Liam Burt tried an ambitious lob from inside his own half, but Luca Zidane, son of Les Bleus favourite Zinédine, backpedalled to make the save.

From the resulting corner France hit their opponents on the break, Ikone finding the net again after dancing through the penalty area and leaving Robby McCrorie with no chance.

Odsonne Edouard made it three with the game's standout goal. Christ-Emmanuel Maouassa, impressive at left-back, crossed into the box, where the No7 directed an exquisite back-heel past McCrorie.

Boutobba powered in the fourth from long range. Five minutes after the restart defender Mamadou Doucoure got in on the act with a shot from distance of his own. With the points long since secure, Jean-Claude Giuntini's side eased up in preparation for their weekend encounter with Greece.

Reaction
Jean-Claude Giuntini, France coach
It's a great start for us, of course. We played very well in the first half and did some beautiful things. It's always nice to start a tournament with a win, but this is just the first game.

Scot Gemmill, Scotland manager
The bad news is the heavy defeat, the good news is the draw in the other game in the group. France were really good, but now we must recover quickly, try to refresh the players and get them ready for Sunday.