Matuidi makes difference as France edge Serbia

• UEFA EURO 2016 hosts France thrill in dominant display
• Blaise Matuidi nets determined header, follows up with stunning volley
• Aleksandar Mitrović pulls one back for Serbia before half-time
• Serbia's 100th international match ends in defeat
• Next games: France v Armenia, Albania v Serbia (8 October)

Blaise Matuidi's magnificent double helped UEFA EURO 2016 hosts France to a morale-boosting 2-1 victory over Serbia in Bordeaux.

France made a blistering start, going two goals ahead inside 25 minutes thanks to two outstanding Matuidi finishes, the first on nine minutes a decisive header and the second a crunching volley. Aleksandar Mitrović reduced the arrears for Serbia before half-time, though France had the opportunities to win by a clearer margin.

Didier Deschamps opted for a familiar 4-3-3 after going with four in midfield in Friday's 1-0 triumph in Portugal and the altered system worked for Les Bleus as a determined Matuidi burst into the box to get on the end of an outswinging Bacary Sagna cross and apply an unstoppable downward header.

Didier Deschamps' 4-3-3 overran Serbia©AFP/Getty Images

France were making full use of the width of the pitch as Antoine Griezmann illuminated the encounter with the quality of his touches. Olivier Giroud spurned two great chances before the indefatigable Matuidi struck an incredible left-footed volley – still rising as it hit the net – from 25 metres after Nemanja Matić headed a Mathieu Valbuena corner his way.

Hugo Lloris had made only one save of note, from Nemanja Gudelj, prior to Mitrović replying for Serbia, the forward diverting a miscued Lazar Marković volley past the wrong-footed home goalkeeper. France continued to play with authority and Griezmann rattled a post early in the second half, thus denied the goal his efforts so richly deserved.