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France FRA
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Griezmann 38',Koundé 50'
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Dzeko 35'
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France 1-1 Bosnia summary: score, goals, highlights, World Cup 2022 qualifier

Update:
Bosnia-Herzegovina's defende Branimir Cipetic (L) fights for the ball with France's forward Kylian Mbappe during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualification Group D football match between France and Bosnia-Herzegovina, at the Meineau stadium in

France 1-1 Bosnia: as it happened

On the whistle match report

France were held to a disappointing 1-1 home draw by Bosnia after playing almost half the game with 10 men in a World Cup Group D qualifier on Wednesday.

Nine weeks after their shock loss to Switzerland in the last 16 of Euro 2020, the world champions had Antoine Griezmann to thank for a quick equaliser after Edin Dzeko had put the visitors ahead in the first half. Didier Deschamps's side had Jules Kounde sent off for a rough tackle early in the second half and although they dominated possession, they had to be content with sharing the points at Strasbourg's La Meinau stadium.

France remained unbeaten in four games and lead the group with eight points, four ahead of Ukraine who were held to a 2-2 draw in Kazakhstan earlier on Wednesday. The French next face Ukraine away on Saturday before hosting Finland next Tuesday while Bosnia, who are fourth on two points from three matches, take on Kazakhstan on Tuesday.

France started with an intense pressing game, but Bosnia threatened through Miralem Pjanic and Dzeko, who opened the scoring from just inside the box with a low shot that went between the legs of Presnel Kimpembe on 36 minutes. Dzeko's 60th goal in his 115th international was cancelled out three minutes later when Griezmann's attempted header from Kylian Mbappé's corner took a deflection off Dennis Hadzikadunic's thigh and went into the net.

A VAR review confirmed the ball had gone past the line and Les Bleus were fortunate to reach the interval level at 1-1. It became even harder for France when Koundé was shown a straight red card after a VAR review for a brutal tackle on Sead Kolasinac five minutes into the second half. Midfielder Jordan Veretout made way for full back Leo Dubois and although France continued to enjoy the majority of possession, they proved too clumsy in the area with Mbappé and Karim Benzema struggling to gel as a partnership.

Deschamps added fresh legs 14 minutes from time by replacing Griezmann and Benzema with Kingsley Coman and Anthony Martial, but they failed to conjure up a French winner.

Full-time

Goals: Dzeko (36'); Griezmann (40')

90+3

Peep, peep, peeeeeep! The final whistle blows.

90+3

The delivery has a nice flat shape about it for those lined up in the middle to attack but it's a French head that gets to it first.

90+2

Dzeko and Kimpembe in a great tussle in France's left back area. It results in the visitors getting a free-kick. More Pjanic action required.

90+1

Diaby replaces Mbappé as France probably thinking about just seeing this out now.

90

We've got three added minutes coming up.

90

The number 10 finds the gap in a jumping French wall but, despite getting some decent movement on the ball, it is almost heading over the bar.

89

Free-kick to Bosnia & Herzegovina after a foul from Martial.

It's dead centre of the field, around 30 yards out. Pjanic eyes a moment of glory...

86

Loncar with a great chance

After turning away from his markers around 12 yards out, the Ferencvaros player can surely just pick his spot to win this for Bosnia-Herzegovina.

He whips his effort with power but it flies well over Lloris' crossbar. What an opportunity.

83

Martial now, in the other channel, showing his pace, but then lack of composure that often frustrate some Manchester United fans.

I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and say his studs didn't hold the turf quite as they should.

82

Coman shows his skills and almost picks out a teammate in the centre. Just too many white shirts blocking the path.

80

Dzeko volleys wide

Easy it was not, but as the Inter Milan striker took that cross on the chest inside Lloris' box, a space at the far post looked wide open for him to volley home.

He drags it wide, under pressure from Kimpembe.

78

An immediate uptick in French ambition, with first Pogba then Mbappé getting involved in and around the Bosnia-Herzegovina penalty area.

I'm predicting a goal still to come in these closing stages.

76

Deschamps needs action: Coman and Martial on for Griezmann and Benzema

76

Hadziahmetovic into the book.

75

No way! Usually, at least in my experience, the so-called 'Mexican wave' is reserved for times your team is strolling a match...or sometimes at an international tournament when most fans are neutral.

Well the people ripples are currently in progress.

73

Dead-ball man Pjanic is keeping the pressure on the home side as he trots over to take another corner. Nothing doing but possession is kept by the white shirts, with signs the home fans are getting a little restless.

72

Demirovic has put his shift in and now there's a chance for Prevljak to show what he can do against the World champs.

Cimirot also going off, with Loncar coming on.

69

A long, high ball upfield sets Pogba after it and into the opposition area, but the bounce means Sehic is always going to win the battle. Hands help.

66

Pjanic tries to get the visitors ticking again but after a slow period of build-up, Pogba steps in and, along with Griezmann, gets a speedy French attack in motion.

The ball is quickly fed into the feet of Mbappé whose blistering acceleration takes him around Hadzikadunic, before laying off a weak cut-back that is cleared.

The French danger is clear.

64

Susic heads off in another change as Cipetic comes on in the hope of making a difference.

63

Good exchanges from the French allow them to switch the play from either flank before going direct to Benzema. The Madrid goal-getter holds it up and is almost able to bring Griezmann into the attack before a white-socked leg intercepts.

61

Substitute Dubois has a go from distance but it's always flying wide of the right post.

59

France do attack with purpose as Griezmann picks out Digne on the left and his first-time ball across goal is almost latched onto by Mbappé.

A strong shoulder by Hadzikadunic holds him off.

57

An interesting few minutes here as Bosnia-Herzegovina look to put on more and more pressure with the man advantage.

Given the quality of the French team, however, they'll have to be really careful on the break. As we've seen in the last few days, that Mbappé lad is considered priceless by some in Paris!

54

And after that tackle, Kolasinac cannot continue so is replaced by Civic

53

With Kounde going off Deschamps is shuffling the pack: Dubois on for Veretout

52

RED CARD!! Kounde is off

Watching the replay I don't think he can have any complaints. Ouchie!

51

VAR has signalled to the ref that he may want to visit the TV screen at the side of the pitch to have another look at that tackle...

50

From that challenge, the ball squirts loose and Kounde flies in with a tackle to retrieve, which he is a fraction of a second late to... Kolasinac feeling the brunt of it!

49

Mbappé tries to jink his way into the area at speed from the right-hand side but a perfectly timed tackle ends his plan.

47

France start proceedings but quickly lose possession and the all white Bosnia-Herzegovina players get to knock the ball around a bit in the middle of the park.

One change at the break: Tchouameni replaces Lemar for France

We're back underway...

The players are slowly emerging from the lower decks of the stadium... and get a good reception from the fans.

A few thoughts at the break

That was not the 45 minutes of football that many weer expecting. Bosnia-Herzegovina have more than held their own and, despite the World Cup holders having their own moments to threaten, it's the Balkan side that will be more disappointed with the scoreline as they talk in the dressing room.

Although few clear cut opportunities across the half, there were several 'almost' situations at both ends. And then came Dzeko's beauty.

The experienced Inter striker along with Demirovic have been a constant problem for the French backline but the goal took something special to beat Lloris from outside the area.

Griezmann's very fortunate equaliser meant that the celebrations didn't last long but they should be out in the second half full of confidence.

Half-time

Goals: Dzeko (36'); Griezmann (40')

45+1

Peep! The whistle blows and the players head down the tunnel for some refreshments and wise words from their respective managers.

45+1

Digne gets to the byline on the left and drags a low ball across the box searching out a teammate but goalscorer Dzeko is back there helping and gets it away.

That is likely to be that for this half.

45

Just the one minute to be added

44

Confidence maybe higher now after that goal and the returning Atleti man tries his luck from outside the area, his left foot curler just not bending enough to squeeze in at the far post.

1

Griezmann gets the plaudits

41

GOAL! It's all square

Griezmann adds to his tally of international goals but he had little to do with it as the cross he missed rebounded off his back and across the line.

Sehic's desparate claw out was too late.

39

Goal claim from France

The hosts are immediately on the attack and think they have the ball over the line.

The ref has his finger to his ear and is awaiting confirmation from VAR...

36

GOAL! Dzeko fires Bosnia and Herzegovina ahead

What a strike! The Inter man collects after sloppy play from the French backline and as they back off him let's rip with an accurately placed left foot hit across goal.

35

Varane with the latest foul and Pjanic may fancy it.

The midfielder gets plenty of movement on the ball and Lloris had to be smartly done to save it.

33

The resulting free kick is too long and runs harmlessly out of play.

32

What's Veretout playing at? He's just been booked and now gives away a free-kick for a tug on Pjanic right under the nose of the ref.

I couldn't make out the official's words from here but I'd guess it was along the lines of: "Do that again sonny, and you'll be off!"

30

Veretout gets the honour of being the first player booked tonight.

29

The Barça man floats one in but Les Blues are first to it.

28

Following a poorly timed challenge from Kounde, Pjanic now has the chance to add some quality from a dead ball situation.

There are plenty players forward for this free-kick, out wide on the left, around 30 yards from goal...

 

24

Kolasinac fires a ball into the French area but it's not troubling the defence who clear well.

22

A bit of a mess from Bosnia in their own area as France throw bodies in to meet a couple of back-to-back crosses.

Pogba ends up on the deck, there's a penalty claim waved away as Mbappé goes down, and eventually the defence hoofed the ball away.

17

Demirovic almost in

A brilliant quick turnover and break has the French defence opened up. Demirovic had Varane trailling in his wake and only a deflection from the back-tracking Kimpembe prevented the Frieburg man from being in on Lloris.

The home fans are singing well, but this has not been as dominant a start as they were hoping for.

16

Two more half attempts in quick succession, one at each end.

First Benzema finds his way in behind the Bosnian defence and then Dzeko tries from distance. Neither a major threat in the end.

13

In a match that is beginning to stretch somewhat, afterburners get turned on for Mbappé as he glides past Hadzikadunic down the right.

His low cross in is decent but no one else in blue was able to keep up and Sehic gathers easily.

13

Chance for Dzeko

Just as the pressure appeared to be building from the French, the Balkans break free and their captain gets a shot away at goal.

Fair play to Lloris for getting behind it.

11

Mbappé now looks to get round the back of a tight Bosnian defence but the lack of space ends his efforts and he rolls the ball back to Griezmann before the visitors regain possession.

9

Pogba starting to get more involved now, initially looking to make his own run forward before getting a second chance to create and targeting a pass to Benzema ahead of him.

Good defending ensures the ball never reaches the forward.

6

Demirovic given a warning there for getting a bit too physical for Sandro Schärer's liking, the Swiss ref letting him off with just a foul against this time.

3

Immediately France are back down the other end and Benzema is all alone one-on-one with Sehic.

The keeper brilliantly denies the Real Madrid striker whose blushes are saved with another offside flag.

2

It's a cracking ball swung in and initially appeared to be a tap-in opportunity for Bosnia-Herzegovina to take a shock lead. Offside flag is up and the miss-hit can be ignored.

2

Bosnia-Herzegovina get us going and enjoy a couple of early touches around their backline.

As they then move forward there's a foul by Lemar on Pjanic and a chance to deliver from about halfway inside the French half, out on the right.

Peep! We're off

OK, after a wonderful rendition of the La Marseillaise from the locals, and the delivery of the match ball by a remote controlled car, we're almost ready for the action...

Dzeko and Pjanic

Despite their disasterous form of late, two of Bosnia and Herzegovina's star players will want to make an impression against the other big names in the opposing ranks.

It's clearly a massive ask though tonight.

Starting XI: Bosnia

Sehic, Sanicanin, Ahmedhodzic, Hadzikadunic, Kolasinac, Susic, Cimirot, Hadziahmetovic, Pjanic, Dzeko, Demirovic

Starting XI: France

Lloris, Koundé, Varane, Kimpembe, Digne, Veretout, Pogba, Lemar, Griezmann, Mbappé, Benzema

How they stand: Bosnia and Herzegovina

The Balkan side have played a game less than the French, picking up a single point that has them currently bottom of the group. And it's fair to say that they're not in a great vein of form.

This has seen them go 13 internationals without victory (6 draws, 7 losses), their longest-ever stretch. They began their latest campaign by drawing 2-2 in Finland - the first time since September 2019 that Bosnia scored more than 2 goals and failed to win.

They have gone four internationals without scoring a goal, including that 1-0 home loss against France earlier in the year.

group DTMPWDL
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How they stand: France

The French started off the their 2022 qualifiers with a draw against Ukraine at home. They then proceeded to win against Kazakhstan 2-0 and against tonight's opponents 0-1 thanks to a Griezmann goal on the hour mark.

That has them sitting comfortably at the top of the group, one they should have little problem riding out.

group DTMPWDL
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322020
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512011

What's that you're drinking, Paul?

Ahh, orange juice. Plenty vitamins in that. Good lad.

FIFA just love international breaks

After a busy few months of international football, from continental championships to the battle for Olympic gold, the focus this week returns to FIFA World Cup qualifying, we're reminded.

The road to Qatar resumes in both Africa and Europe today, with some tasty fixtures in each continent whetting the appetite for a packed week of preliminary action.

Check below for all the games.

World Cup Qualifiers 2022: France vs Bosnia and Herzegovina and Portugal vs Ireland

Soccer

World Cup Qualifiers 2022: France vs Bosnia and Herzegovina and Portugal vs Ireland

Tonight's matchups promise to be entertaining with some of soccer's biggest stars taking the field in the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers.

Our Jen has put a quick preview together of this and another of tonight's European qualifiers, featuring Portugal

Les Blues and their stars

Kylian Mbappé - who was the subject of a failed €200 million bid by Real Madrid - is expected to headline for France and could well feature in an attacking three alongside Karim Benzema and Antoine Griezzman - the latter returning to Atlético in a deal finalised as the transfer window closed last night.

Chelsea star N’golo Kante may sit it out despite travelling with the French team due to an ankle injury.

French favourites

The winners of the FIFA World Cup 2018, France, will hope to continue their goal of early and assured qualification with another win tonight over Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Manager Didier Deschamps has seen his team pick up seven points from a possible nine and top Group D while their opponents have just a single point from their two games played thus far.

France vs Bosnia live: welcome

Hello and welcome to our live offering for you tonight which sees France welcome Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Stade de la Meinau in Strasbourg.

With league duties for their clubs on hold - and a historic transfer window brought to a close - we now have the important business of World Cup qualifiers to focus on.

Qatar 2022 is just over a year away... and there is plenty still to be decided.