Sagnol's slick France overwhelm Kazakhstan

Willy Sagnol said "the players made it look easy" as three goals in the opening 17 minutes set France on course for an emphatic 5-0 victory over Kazakhstan in their 2015 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying campaign.

"The analysis is mostly positive," concluded Sagnol after the first competitive match since his June appointment. "We've entered into the qualifying round, scoring five goals. The quality of our opposition hasn't really allowed us to see just how far we can go but this team is now starting to play as we want them to."

The former right-back will have been particularly impressed by the start in Caen, when the hosts started in style. Jordan Ferri broke the deadlock on ten minutes, rounding off a well-worked goal from the right with a low shot from the edge of the box, and Paul-Georges Ntep De Madiba's strike to make it 2-0 three minutes later came in almost identical fashion. Soon it was three, Anthony Martial firing in from close range after a low free-kick somehow made its way to him at the far post.

France continued to dominate, their pressing game not allowing Kazakhstan to muster a single shot on target all night. The visitors were culpable for goals four and five at the other end, however. Just before the hour mark keeper Stas Pokatilov's failure to meet a free-kick was eventually punished by substitute Loïck Landre; three minutes later a poor defensive clearance was deflected straight to Yassine Benzia, who lashed in from the edge of the box.

Pokatilov made amends by denying Martial in a one-on-one but the damage had long been done and France will travel to Belarus on Monday in high spirits. Kazakhstan will aim to get back 24 hours later away to Group 10 leaders Iceland.