Netherlands 0 France 1: Paul Pogba, Dimitri Payet and Hugo Lloris help to earn 2018 World Cup qualifying win

AFP/Getty Images
Standard Sport10 October 2016

France lived up to their billing as favorites in World Cup qualifying Group A by beating Netherlands 1-0 thanks to a long-range strike by Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba and a superb late save by Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

Euro 2016 runner-ups France looked dangerous throughout the match at the Amsterdam Arena, with £89million Pogba bossing the midfield and the searing pace of right back Djibril Sidibe and powerful runs of Spurs' Moussa Sissoko proving a menace.

While Netherlands goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg looked like he could have kept out Pogba's goal - set up by West Ham star Dimitri Payet - his saves kept the score down in the second half.

Both teams were coming off 4-1 victories on Friday, with Netherlands' attack making up for the team's continuing defensive frailties.

But the Dutch, already missing experienced stars Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben to injuries, suffered an early setback when Quincy Promes, who scored twice on Friday, limped off and was replaced by Memphis Depay just 16 minutes in.

Without Promes' pace the Dutch rarely looked likely to break down the experienced France defence, though Lloris was called into action with a fine reaction save in the 89th minute to preserve the lead of Les Bleus.

Additional reporting by Associated Press.

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