France Defeat Russia in 2018 Friendly; Kylian Mbappe, Paul Pogba Among Scorers
France defeated Russia 3-1 at Saint Petersburg Stadium on Tuesday as the two nations featured in an international friendly in the build-up to the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
French prodigy Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring shortly before half-time, and a rasping free-kick from Paul Pogba made it 2-0 after the restart.
Fyodor Smolov finished with aplomb to drag Russia back into the contest after 68 minutes, with the visitors sitting deep as they made a number of changes from the bench.
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Mbappe grabbed his brace in the closing stages to curtail the Russian threat, but there were plenty of positives to claim by the hosts.
France named a side that featured a number of the world's best young attackers as Anthony Martial and Ousmane Dembele joined Mbappe.
The Russians drafted Yuri Zhirkov and Roman Neustadter into defence after the hosts lost 3-0 to Brazil in a recent friendly.
The first half was a drab affair with the visitors unable to unlock the vitality in their starting XI.
Smolov almost stole the lead for the home side after 15 minutes as he fired on goal, but stopper Hugo Lloris made the save to disappoint an expectant crowd.
Martial missed an excellent chance to break the deadlock, and it was left to Mbappe to find the back of the net after 40 minutes.
Pogba was the creator, playing a sumptuous through-ball for the Paris Saint-Germain striker to slot his effort home at the near post.
Russia hadn't deserved to enter half-time behind, but France's extra firepower paid dividends before the break.
Pogba had struggled to find rhythm early in the game, matching his recent form for Manchester United, but the midfielder showed his class with a wonderful free-kick at the start of the second half.
The former Juventus star celebrated with his teammates as his shot from distance nestled in the back of the net after 49 minutes.
The United player looked to the heavens after his tremendous effort:
The strike gave France breathing room, but Russia plugged away in front of a packed crowd at the Zenit Arena.
Russian excitement was relit after 68 minutes after a sweeping move saw captain Smolov slot home his shot at the far post.
The lifeline was fully deserved, and the French made a number of changes as they battled to hold on to their slim advantage.
Substitute Antoine Griezmann was tasked to keep the pressure on the hosts, but Russia grew in stature as they desired an equaliser.
However, the Russian flame was extinguished with eight minutes remaining as Mbappe danced through the penalty box to fire a clinical effort home.
France were nowhere near their best but displayed they have plenty in their locker for when the real action starts at the World Cup in the summer.
