Perfect France seal play-off place

France secured their place in November'’s UEFA European Under-21 Championship play-offs by beating Kazakhstan away from home, their seventh victory from seven in Group 9.

Goals from Rémi Cabella, Antoine Griezmann and substitute Alexandre Lacazette in Astana secured the three points, giving France an unassailable lead in the section. Kazakhstan showed plenty of endeavour, but could not trouble their in-form visitors.

Cabella opened the scoring by beating Sergey Tkachuk with a nice lob in the 14th minute. The goalkeeper did well later in the half when he foiled Yacine Brahimi in a one-on-one, but just past the hour mark France made it two when Griezmann converted Joshua Guilavogui's superb cross from the left. With five minutes remaining, Lacazette scored a brilliant header from Griezmann's centre to wrap up first place in the group.