(PA) Tuesday 5 June 2012
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Karim Benzema scored twice as France completed their preparations for UEFA EURO 2012 with a convincing 4-0 win over Estonia.
Les Bleus took the lead through Franck Ribery before Benzema struck either side of half-time to put them firmly in the driving seat. Substitute Jeremy Menez then wrapped up the victory in stoppage time to cap a commanding performance in Le Mans.
France will fly out to Ukraine tomorrow before opening their UEFA EURO 2012 campaign against England on Monday.
Coach Laurent Blanc had some fitness concerns ahead of tonight's match, with Yann M'Vila ruled out by an ankle injury while a thigh problem sidelined Blaise Matuidi. However, the hosts began brightly and Estonia goalkeeper Sergei Pareiko was called into action after just six minutes to deal with a free-kick from Samir Nasri.
The action then moved to the other end of the pitch, where Tarmo Kink tried his luck from 20 yards, but directed his shot wide of the left post. Henrik Ojamaa gave the home side further food for thought after 11 minutes when the striker fired over from a central position.
Konstantin Vassiljev also missed the target as Estonia continued to test their opponents' defence, but they found themselves trailing after 24 minutes. Benzema supplied the pass which Ribery drilled into the bottom-right corner.
That sparked a spell of France dominance, which lasted until the half-time whistle and beyond. First, Yohan Cabaye conjured up a right-footed strike from distance which flew narrowly wide of the right post.
Mathieu Debuchy also threatened with a strike from a Patrice Evra free-kick, although the Lille right-back was wide of the mark. Pareiko was kept busy with another effort from Cabaye, which was smothered by the Estonia goalkeeper.
But France were two goals to the good after 36 minutes thanks to Benzema, who superbly controlled a corner from Florent Malouda before smashing the ball high into the net from the left side of the area. The Real Madrid striker was on target again two minutes after the interval, teaming up once more with Ribery, who flashed in a cross from the right wing which Benzema side-footed home.
Estonia were not ready to throw in the towel just yet and Sander Puri was unfortunate not to get the visitors on the scoresheet when he drilled a shot inches wide of the right post.
But France continued to control the match and hat-trick chasing Benzema produced another testing shot which was well held by Pareiko. A flurry of substitutions followed from both teams, which took much of the momentum out of the match, although replacement Menez tried to add a fourth for France when he cleverly jinked his way into the area only to blast the ball over the bar.
Estonia almost snatched a goal two minutes from time with a shot from Vladimir Voskoboinikov which Lloris had to dive low to his left to turn away. But France had the final say in stoppage time when Menez stroked home from the centre of the area.
Les Bleus took the lead through Franck Ribery before Benzema struck either side of half-time to put them firmly in the driving seat. Substitute Jeremy Menez then wrapped up the victory in stoppage time to cap a commanding performance in Le Mans.
France will fly out to Ukraine tomorrow before opening their UEFA EURO 2012 campaign against England on Monday.
Coach Laurent Blanc had some fitness concerns ahead of tonight's match, with Yann M'Vila ruled out by an ankle injury while a thigh problem sidelined Blaise Matuidi. However, the hosts began brightly and Estonia goalkeeper Sergei Pareiko was called into action after just six minutes to deal with a free-kick from Samir Nasri.
The action then moved to the other end of the pitch, where Tarmo Kink tried his luck from 20 yards, but directed his shot wide of the left post. Henrik Ojamaa gave the home side further food for thought after 11 minutes when the striker fired over from a central position.
Konstantin Vassiljev also missed the target as Estonia continued to test their opponents' defence, but they found themselves trailing after 24 minutes. Benzema supplied the pass which Ribery drilled into the bottom-right corner.
That sparked a spell of France dominance, which lasted until the half-time whistle and beyond. First, Yohan Cabaye conjured up a right-footed strike from distance which flew narrowly wide of the right post.
Mathieu Debuchy also threatened with a strike from a Patrice Evra free-kick, although the Lille right-back was wide of the mark. Pareiko was kept busy with another effort from Cabaye, which was smothered by the Estonia goalkeeper.
But France were two goals to the good after 36 minutes thanks to Benzema, who superbly controlled a corner from Florent Malouda before smashing the ball high into the net from the left side of the area. The Real Madrid striker was on target again two minutes after the interval, teaming up once more with Ribery, who flashed in a cross from the right wing which Benzema side-footed home.
Estonia were not ready to throw in the towel just yet and Sander Puri was unfortunate not to get the visitors on the scoresheet when he drilled a shot inches wide of the right post.
But France continued to control the match and hat-trick chasing Benzema produced another testing shot which was well held by Pareiko. A flurry of substitutions followed from both teams, which took much of the momentum out of the match, although replacement Menez tried to add a fourth for France when he cleverly jinked his way into the area only to blast the ball over the bar.
Estonia almost snatched a goal two minutes from time with a shot from Vladimir Voskoboinikov which Lloris had to dive low to his left to turn away. But France had the final say in stoppage time when Menez stroked home from the centre of the area.
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