Paris: Olivier Giroud scored a double as France stepped up their World Cup preparations on Tuesday with a 4-0 victory over Norway at the Stade de France in the first of three pre-tournament friendlies. Paul Pogba netted a first-half opener in Paris, while Giroud enhanced his reputation ahead of next month’s finals in Brazil through a second-half brace that came either side of Loic Remy’s first international goal since 2011.
France coach Didier Deschamps was satisfied with the performance and the progress the team was making. Despite the absence of some key regulars, Deschamps fielded a strong side featuring seven probable starters for Les Bleus’ World Cup opener against Honduras on June 15. Hugo Lloris and Franck Ribery were both rested while Karim Benzema and Raphael Varane have yet to join up with the squad after helping Real Madrid win the Champions League final against city rivals Atletico on Saturday.
France made a promising start as Antoine Griezmann and Giroud both tested Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland with headers inside the opening few minutes. Griezmann again came close to putting the hosts in front when he redirected Yohan Cabaye’s bouncing effort just wide of the far post, but it wasn’t long before France found the breakthrough.
Mathieu Valbuena clipped a cross into the box and Pogba was on hand to send a stooping header beyond a helpless Nyland to give Les Bleus a 15th-minute lead. However, Norway found themselves overmatched in the second half as Arsenal striker Giroud drilled in a second on 51 minutes before the hosts rammed home their superiority. Remy, who had only just come on in place of Griezmann, ran onto Newcastle teammate Mathieu Debuchy’s wonderful through ball and slotted home a third on 67 minutes. Giroud then doubled his tally as he sent an excellent looping header into the far corner to cap a resounding win two minutes later.
Tunisia shock Korea
Tunisia beat South Korea 1-0 on Wednesday in a psychological setback for the former World Cup semi-finalists before they leave for the June-July edition in Brazil. Midfielder Zouhaier Dhaouadi netted the game’s only goal late in the first half at Seoul World Cup Stadium, as the visitors handed Georges Leekens a victory on his debut as coach.
USA down Azerbaijan
Second-half goals from Mix Diskerud and Aron Johannsson lifted the United States to a 2-0 victory over Azerbaijan on Tuesday.
