World Cup

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World Cup | Qualifiers

Nov 19, 2013 at 8pm UK

France
3-0
Ukraine

Sakho (22'), Benzema (33'), Gusev (72' og.)

FT(HT: 2-0)

Didier Deschamps: 'I knew we would make World Cup'

By Shane Callaghan, Reporter | 19 November 2013

Didier Deschamps says that he had no doubts over France's ability to overturn the two-goal deficit to Ukraine and qualify for the World Cup.

France coach Didier Deschamps has said that he had no doubts as to whether or not his team would overturn the two-goal deficit against Ukraine en route to qualifying for the World Cup.

Les Bleus triumphed against the odds at Stade de France this evening by overhauling the 2-0 defeat sustained in the first leg in Kiev on Friday, with goals from Mamadou Sakho, Karim Benzema and an own goal from Oleg Gusev ensuring the the 1998 World Cup winners progress as 3-2 aggregate winners.

Despite the close shave with elimination, Deschamps says that he remained confident that his team were capable of staging the comeback necessary to book their ticket to Brazil in June.

Speaking to French television, the 45-year-old said: "I didn't have doubts but we played a huge match and this qualification is very important for French football.

"It's a bit of a tradition that when French teams have their backs against the wall, they perform and we had a lot of heart and determination today.

"Now we've qualified, we're capable of some great things."

Deschamps's men will be joined in South America by Portugal, Croatia and Greece - all of whom also sealed their progression to the World Cup finals tonight.