France open up six-point lead with Slovakia win

Joshua Guilavogui could afford to miss a second-half penalty as France put themselves in a dominant position at the head of UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying Group 9 with victory over second-placed Slovakia.

Eliaquim Mangala and Raphaël Varane converted corners on 33 and 63 minutes respectively as Les Bleus moved six points clear by maintaining their 100% record. Slovakia, who host France in their penultimate fixture next September, have a game in hand on Eric Mombaerts's men.

Neither side had conceded a goal in their four previous outings and it was the visiting defence who broke first, when Mangala met Rémi Cabella's excellent delivery. Frédéric Bulot provided the assist for the second, his left-wing corner finding the feet of Varane, who powered the ball past Pavol Bajza.

The goalkeeper brought down substitute Yaya Sanogo on 69 minutes but Guilavogui could not make it three, before Bajza saved bravely from Sanogo in the dying moments.