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[monks data]
France national football team
International Friendlies
Sep 7, 2015 at 7.45pm UK
 
Serbia national football team

2-1

Matuidi (9', 25')
FT(HT: 2-1)
Mitrovic (40')

Blaise Matuidi double inspires France

Blaise Matuidi scores two first-half goals as France earn a 2-1 win over Serbia in their friendly at the Matmut Atlantique.

France continued their preparations for Euro 2016 by claiming a 2-1 victory over Serbia in Bordeaux this evening.

Antoine Griezmann came close for the hosts in the opening minutes, but his effort was kept out by Predrag Rajkovic.

France's midfielder Blaise Matuidi (2nd L) celerates with his teammates after scoring his second goal during the Euro 2016 friendly football match France vs Serbia at the stadium in Bordeaux on September 7, 2015. © Getty Images

France continued to threaten and in the ninth minute they took the lead when Blaise Matuidi arrived inside the box to head in Bacary Sagna's cross.

Olivier Giroud almost added a second goal minutes later, with a fierce drive that Rajkovic had to turn behind.

Nemanja Gudelj finally managed an effort on goal for the Serbians, but his strike was comfortably held by Hugo Lloris.

However, France soon doubled their advantage when Matuidi latched on to a clearance on the edge of the box, before rifling a volley through a crowded box and into the net.

France's midfielder Blaise Matuidi (C) celebrates with France's defender Raphael Varane (2nd R) after scoring during the Euro 2016 friendly football match France vs Serbia at the Matmut Atlantique stadium in Bordeaux on September 7, 2015.© Getty Images

With six minutes left to play in the first half Serbia pulled a goal back as Lazar Markovic's half-volley struck Aleksandar Mitrovic and deflected past the helpless Lloris.

Shortly after the break Griezmann almost restored France's two-goal lead, but after being played through on goal by Paul Pogba, he saw his attempt come back off the post.

Just past the hour mark Zoran Tosic threatened an equaliser for the visitors, but his strike towards the near post failed to find the target.

The closing stages passed by without much incident, as France held on to claim the win and keep up their momentum ahead of next summer's European Championship.

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France's midfielder Blaise Matuidi (2nd L) celerates with his teammates after scoring his second goal during the Euro 2016 friendly football match France vs Serbia at the stadium in Bordeaux on September 7, 2015.
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