France vs. Bulgaria: Score and Reaction for World Cup 2018 Qualifying

France beat Bulgaria at the Stade de France in FIFA World Cup qualification on Friday, prevailing 4-1 in UEFA Group A in Paris. 

An early Mihail Aleksandrov penalty gave the visitors a shock advantage, but Kevin Gameiro and Dimitri Payet seized the lead in the first half. Antoine Griezmann added his name to the scoresheet to make it 3-1, and Gameiro completed his brace to secure the emphatic result.

The home team deployed Bacary Sagna and Layvin Kurzawa at full-back, with Raphael Varane partnering with Laurent Koscielny in central defence. Gameiro started his first France game in several years, supported by Griezmann in attack.

The visitors gave Marcelinho a rare start, as Ivelin Popov took charge of leading Bulgaria's attacking unit.

The Bulgarians shocked home supporters in the sixth minute when Sagna pulled back Georgi Milanov to concede a penalty. Aleksandrov punished the Manchester City defender from the spot, tucking his effort away.

Sky Football shared the opening effort:

Bulgaria's advantage lasted 17 minutes, as Gameiro fired the hosts back into the game. Sagna redeemed himself, bending the ball into the box from wide, and the striker darted in to find a deft header to make it 1-1.

The French flipped the match on its head as they grabbed the lead three minutes later. West Ham United wizard Payet collected the ball from wide, and his whipped cross-shot found the far corner.

Sky Football once again shared the key moment:

MIGUEL MEDINA/Getty Images

The second goal fired up the crowd, and France appeared to move quickly through the gears, claiming a third through Griezmann.

The attacker proved why he is one of the deadliest players on the planet as he punished poor defending by the Bulgarians.

Freelance football writer Robin Bairner called the action:

France appeared comfortable in the second half after their comeback disabled Bulgarian motivation.

Paul Pogba began to impose his personality on the game, but his side were in control and cruising.

The inevitable fourth for the hosts came on the hour mark when Gameiro claimed his brace. The Atletico Madrid player once again linked with club team-mate Griezmann and found an easy finish to make it 4-1.

MIGUEL MEDINA/Getty Images

Blaise Matuidi hit the post as France searched for a fifth goal, but the job was done, and the points were in the bag.

France showed great character not to collapse after the early goal, and they appear motivated to perform in group qualification.

Gameiro and Griezmann might be the key to success for the French, and the pair have developed a wonderful understanding between themselves at Atleti. 

Post-Match Reaction

Goal hero Gameiro spoke about his evening after the match, via AFP Sport's Andy Scott (h/t Yahoo Sports): "It was a perfect evening. We reacted well and then ran away with it. I felt enormously proud and especially full of desire. Hard work pays off."

The goals were why France manager Deschamps put him in the starting XI, via Scott: "He is there to score goals and he scored two. He was very good with his movement, he worked very hard for the team, along with Antoine."

But he also focused on his star midfielder Pogba, via Scott:

France will have to be at full strength and firing on all cylinders for Monday when they take on the Netherlands in another World Cup qualifier.