Ribéry returns to haunt Lithuania
Wednesday 1 April 2009
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France are now second in Group 7 (©Getty Images)
As he did four days ago, Franck Ribéry scored a second-half winner against Lithuania to secure victory for France and send them above their opponents into second place in FIFA World Cup qualifying Group 7.
Six changes
At home this time, Les Bleus fielded an identical lineup, save for the presence of Alou Diarra in place of suspended midfielder Jérémy Toulalan. Visiting coach José Couceiro made six changes to the side that lost 1-0 in Kaunas, meanwhile, but although they held firm for 75 minutes at the Stade de France, in-form FC Bayern München talisman Ribéry again made the difference.
Long-range efforts
The 25-year-old was the most dangerous player on the pitch and kept goalkeeper Zydrunas Karcemarskas busy with a series of long-range strikes in the first half. France's best chance before the break came from a Bacary Sagna cross, however, which just grazed Thierry Henry's head at the near post, allowing Karcemarskas to parry.
Gignac impact
With his team failing to turn superiority into goals, Raymond Domenech introduced Karim Benzema on 57 minutes and debutant André-Pierre Gignac eleven minutes later. The Toulouse FC forward squandered his first opportunity, but cut the ball back to Ribéry after collecting an Henry cross and watched as the former Olympique de Marseille midfielder converted from close range. The win takes France within two points of leaders Serbia, whom they travel to face on 9 September after first taking on the Faroe Islands and Romania. Lithuania lie a point back, having played a game more, and host Romania on 6 June.
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