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

France took control of Group A by beating Sweden 2-1 in a qualifier for the 2018 FIFA World Cup at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, Paris, on Friday. Goals in the second half from Premier League duo Paul Pogba and Dimitri Payet proved enough for the win.

Their finishes cancelled out Emil Forsberg's free-kick early in the second half that left France stunned. Yet their strong comeback livened up a game that had been drab before the break.

The result means France are now three points clear of Sweden at the top of the group, per FIFA's official website.

France manager Didier Deschamps chose to start Arsenal centre-forward Olivier Giroud alongside Antoine Griezmann up front. As for Sweden, the visitors opted for John Guidetti and Ola Toivonen in attack, per Equipe de France.

Giroud's presence in the starting XI was somewhat surprising since he's been a back-up at club level this season. Alexis Sanchez has replaced the former Montpellier man as the Gunners' centre-forward of choice.

For France, the pace of Atletico Madrid's Kevin Gameiro has recently seemed to dovetail better with Griezmann's own speed and shrewd movement.

Giroud proceeded to struggle through a snoozer of a first half, according to OptaJean.

In fairness to Giroud, chances were few and far between for every forward on the pitch. In fact, the best chance of a sluggish half came seconds before the whistle. It fell to Griezmann, who couldn't quite glance a deft header inside the post.

Griezmann flicked another header over the bar moments after the break. Manchester United midfielder Pogba had fired in the delivery but was still struggling to impose himself on a resolute Sweden side. In particular, he wasn't getting close enough to Giroud and Griezmann.

FRANCK FIFE/Getty Images

The former was the next to miss a header, crowning a ball too high after fighting to meet left-back Patrice Evra's cross. France's best route to goal seemed like being a set piece from free-kick maestro Payet, but his whipped delivery from just outside the box was too wide.

At the other end, France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris had to be quick to palm away a cross Toivonen seemed set to turn in. Sweden didn't have to wait long to take the lead, though. Their goal came from a deftly launched free-kick from Forsberg that wrong-footed Lloris.

The hosts were soon level when Pogba got his head to the ball after Real Madrid centre-back Raphael Varane flicked on from a corner. Payet had swung the ball in, and Squawka noted how effective this duo has been so far during qualifying.

Payet did his bit for France's double act when he swept the home side in front. Griezmann had clashed with Sweden goalkeeper Robin Olsen when the two challenged for a cross. The loose ball eventually reached West Ham United forward Payet who bent in a smart finish from close range.

France then became content to try and catch Sweden on the break. Payet ought to have capped a sweeping counter by sliding in Moussa Sissoko.

Sweden might still have pinched a point late, but Isaac Thelin dragged a shot a whisker wide. It was a lucky escape for France.

Post-Match Reaction

Afterwards, Deschamps expressed his relief his team survived a difficult fixture, per MailOnline's Elliott Bretland: "I wasn't expecting an easy game anyway, it was a team who were joint top with us before kickoff. However we grabbed three points and that's what matters tonight."

Meanwhile, Griezmann felt Sweden stayed in their shape well, per Bretland: "They're a good team, playing in a solid 4-4-2. They sat back and were looking to hit us on the break."

Griezmann and Deschamps sounded relieved, but Pogba still identified where France must improve, as noted by Bretland: "We came back into the game after they opened the scoring but we were reacting, it's a bit of a pity. We react while we actually need to act."

France didn't exactly get out of second gear in this one but still managed to win one of the tougher matches in their group.