Olivier Giroud became the oldest scorer in France’s history as they beat Austria to boost their hopes of avoiding Nations League relegation.
Les Bleus dominated, with Kylian Mbappe having an early goal ruled out for offside and Aurelien Tchouameni’s bicycle kick being tipped onto the bar.
Giroud set up Mbappe for a fine opener, taking on several defenders before firing in from 16 yards.
AC Milan striker Giroud, 35, brilliantly headed in France’s second.
At 35 years and 357 days, he is 70 days older than Roger Marche was when he scored against Spain in December 1959.
Giroud is now only two goals behind Thierry Henry’s France record of 51.
France, who would have been relegated if they had lost, move above Austria going into Sunday’s Group A1 finale in Denmark.
Croatia lead the group following a 2-1 win against Denmark, who would have sealed top spot themselves had they won in Zagreb.
Defender Borna Sosa put the hosts ahead with his first international goal. Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen levelled with a sensational long-range strike, but two minutes later Lovro Majer scored the winner from outside the box.
Croatia just need to beat Austria on Sunday to qualify for next year’s finals and book a Euro 2024 play-off place.
Line-ups
France
Formation 3-4-1-2
- 16MaignanSubstituted forAreolaat 45′minutes
- 5KoundéSubstituted forSalibaat 23′minutes
- 4Varane
- 18Badiashile
- 15Clauss
- 8Tchouaméni
- 19Fofana
- 21Mendy
- 7GriezmannSubstituted forDembéléat 79′minutes
- 9GiroudSubstituted forNkunkuat 79′minutes
- 10MbappéSubstituted forKolo Muaniat 90+2′minutes
Substitutes
- 1Lafont
- 2Pavard
- 3Saliba
- 6Camavinga
- 11Dembélé
- 12Nkunku
- 13Upamecano
- 14Guendouzi
- 17Veretout
- 20Kolo Muani
- 22Truffert
- 23Areola
Austria
Formation 4-4-2
- 12Pentz
- 16Trimmel
- 15Lienhart
- 8AlabaSubstituted forPoschat 70′minutes
- 17Wöber
- 10WeimannBooked at 38minsSubstituted forLjubicicat 50′minutes
- 4Schlager
- 6Seiwald
- 9SabitzerSubstituted forSchmidat 69′minutes
- 7ArnautovicSubstituted forGregoritschat 64′minutes
- 18OnisiwoSubstituted forBaumgartnerat 64′minutes
Substitutes
- 1Lindner
- 3Friedl
- 5Posch
- 11Gregoritsch
- 13Schlager
- 14Ljubicic
- 19Baumgartner
- 20Schmid
- 21Lainer
- 22Cham
- 23Trauner
- Referee:
- Andreas Ekberg
Match Stats
Live Text
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Match ends, France 2, Austria 0.
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Second Half ends, France 2, Austria 0.
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Substitution, France. Randal Kolo Muani replaces Kylian Mbappé.
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Attempt missed. Kylian Mbappé (France) right footed shot from the left side of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Ousmane Dembélé following a fast break.
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Attempt missed. Kylian Mbappé (France) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left.
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Corner, Austria. Conceded by Benoît Badiashile.
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Attempt blocked. Christoph Baumgartner (Austria) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Romano Schmid.
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Attempt blocked. Xaver Schlager (Austria) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Christoph Baumgartner.
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Ousmane Dembélé (France) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Christoph Baumgartner (Austria).
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Substitution, France. Ousmane Dembélé replaces Antoine Griezmann.
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Substitution, France. Christopher Nkunku replaces Olivier Giroud.
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Ferland Mendy (France) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Dejan Ljubicic (Austria).
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Youssouf Fofana (France) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Xaver Schlager (Austria).
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Substitution, Austria. Stefan Posch replaces David Alaba.
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Substitution, Austria. Romano Schmid replaces Marcel Sabitzer.
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Aurélien Tchouaméni (France) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Christopher Trimmel (Austria).
