CHANCE! That should have been 4-0! It was a superb move down the right, with Sagna again causing havoc with a terrific cross, but Griezmann was just unable to direct his header on target.
90' +1
The fourth official has indicated a minimum of two minutes stoppage time at the end of this game...
88'
M. Sissoko enters the game and replaces N. Kanté.
Yet another change now, as N'Golo Kanté - who has been extremley effective in France's midfield as the defensive shield, makes way for Moussa Sissoko.
84'
B. McKay enters the game and replaces J. McArthur.
A substitution now for Scotland, as James McArthur is replaced by Rangers younsgter Barry McKay.
83'
L. Digne enters the game and replaces P. Evra.
Another change now for Les Blues, as Patrice Evra makes way for Lucas Digne.
82'
CHANCE! What a ball from Pogba! Breathtaking play from the France midfielder, as he dinks a luscious pass over the top into the path of Gignac, but the former Marseille forward is just unable to direct his volley on target.
80'
SO CLOSE! That is quite brilliant from Pogba, who floats a high, looping effort towards the target. It dips suddenly, catching Marshall off guard, but fortunately for the visitors, the ball lands on the roof of the net.
78'
A free-kick now for the hosts, around 30 yards out, after Griezmann is felled by Fletcher. Pogba and Cabaye stand over it...
75'
The display will be extremely pleasing for Deschamps, however, who will be content that his side are heading into the tournament with a real confidence. Despite Scotland’s poor performance, playing like this, France are more than capable of matching any other team.
73'
A slight lull in proceedings now, as France simply dictate the tempo of the play and look to ease their way towards netting a fourth. As good as their performance has been, Scotland have offered very little.
Minute
Description
69'
Y. Cabaye enters the game and replaces B. Matuidi.
Another change now, as Yohan Cabaye is introduced by Deschamps. The Crystal Palace midfielder will replace Blaise Matuidi.
68'
CHANCE! That’s good goalkeeping from Marshall, as the Cardiff shot-stopper comes out to prevent Gignac having a clear run on goal after he had been played in by Pogba.
66'
S. Kingsley enters the game and replaces R. Snodgrass.
A fourth change now for Scotland, as Robert Snodgrass - who has been extremely ineffective this evening - makes way for Stephen Kingsley.
65'
CLOSE! Fantastic once more from Evra, as he bounds down the left and drills in a low cross to the feet of Martial, but the youngster is just unable to turn his effort towards goal.
64'
POST! It’s fabulous effort from Pogba, as the Juve man pulls rank over Griezmann and lofts a lovely strike over Scotland’s wall. It rattles the left-hand woodwork, bouncing back into the path of Gignac who, with his first touch, curls a good effort towards the top corner, but Marshall is well-placed to make the save.
63'
A. Gignac enters the game and replaces O. Giroud.
An opportunity now for France, as Giroud is brought down right on the edge of the Scotland area. Griezmann and Pogba stand over the set-piece, which will be taken after the aforementioned Arsenal striker makes way for Andre-Pierre Gignac. Another fine display from Les Bleus’ no.9...
61'
CHANCE! France go short from the set-piece, with Martial driving his way into the area and brilliantly getting past Naismith with a lovely roll of the feet. However, the angle he has created for himself is just too tight for him to get a shot away, and he has to settle for a corner after his tame effort at a finish is saved by Marshall.
60'
Worth a try… It’s another well-worked move from Les Blues, as Kante slips a neat ball into the feet of Matuidi. The midfielder turns well before feeding Pogba, who tries his luck from range. The strike trickles wide, but only because of a slight deflection off a Scotland player, and France have a corner down on the left...
58'
S. Naismith enters the game and replaces S. Fletcher.
Another change now for the visitors, as Steven Naismith comes on in place of Steven Fletcher.
55'
CHANCE! That’s poor from Fletcher! Good work from Anya down the left, as the Watford winger does well to burst clear of Sagna and whip in a curling cross. The former Wolves striker runs on to meet it but, under little pressure, can only glance his header well wide of the target.
54'
CLOSE! That was almost a howler from Marshall, as the Scotland goalkeeper spilled the ball in the six-yard box from the resulting set-piece. However, fortunately for Scotland, he recovered before Giroud could react and tap the ball home.
53'
Lovely build-up play from Les Bleus, as Pogba slips a delightful pass through to Griezmann, who in turn floats a precise pass out to Evra. The defender plays a smart one-two with Matuidi in order to burst into the area, and is rewarded when his cross is deflected wide for a corner.
51'
STAT FLASH - France have conceded twice in three of their last four games, though they have won three of these matches. However, they do not appear to be in any danger of letting their lead slip this evening...
49'
It has been a rather stunted start to the second half following that glut of changes, but it is eventually France who make some inroads in terms of creating a goalscoring opportunity, as Martial holds the ball up in the penalty area before laying off a pass towards the edge of the box, which Pogba races on to. The midfielder slips just as he connects with the ball, but his strike is still a firm one and, if not for a deflection off a Scotland defender, would most likely have found its way into the back of Marshall’s net.
46'
I. Anya enters the game and replaces S. Maloney.
C. Mulgrew enters the game and replaces A. Robertson.
A. Martial enters the game and replaces D. Payet.
A. Griezmann enters the game and replaces K. Coman.
Welcome back! We are back underway in Metz, and there has been a raft of substitutions to start the second-half. The first of which sees Scotland midfielder Shaun Maloney replaced by Ikechi Anya.
The hosts have also made a double change at the interval, with Deschamps deciding that Dimitri Payet will get a rest ahead of next Friday’s tournament opener against Romania. The West Ham winger’s replacement is Anthony Martial, who has overcome a knock to claim his place in the squad.
France’s next substitution sees Kinglsey Coman, who had a superb first half, replaced by Antoine Griezmann.
The second change for the visitors is in defence, as Andrew Robertson makes way for Celtic’s Charlie Mulgrew.
45' +1
There will be a minimum of one minute added time at the end of the first half...
44'
Great work by Pogba, as the burly midfielder shows his effectiveness at both ends of the field. He has been a joy to watch going forward this evening, but this time he impresses with his defensive work as he gets back to shirk Ritchie off of the ball following a well-worked attack from the visitors.
41'
A concern now for Les Bleus, as Evra has to stay down for a moment following a collision with Fletcher. The full-back eventually regains his footing, rubbing what appears to be a rather sore knee, but otherwise looking unhurt. The last thing France need right now is another injury to a key player...
39'
L. Koscielny has scored a goal for France! Assist by P. Evra.
It was a fantastic delivery from Payet, who picked out the run of Evra. The former Manchester United man did well to direct a header in the general direction of the target, and Koscielny - unmarked at the back post - duly made no mistake with the finish.
GOOOOAAALL!!! FRANCE MAKE IT 3-0! Well, if it wasn’t already all over, it almost certainly is now as, from the resulting corner, Evra rises highest to nod a header towards the far post, and his fellow defender Koscielny is on hand to nudge it home from two yards out.
38'
CLOSE! Excellent once more from Matuidi, as he somehow engineers enough space for himself in the area and manages to get a shot away, but Marshall comes out to deflect it wide.
37'
CHANCE! Outstanding play from Pogba, as the former Manchester United youngster slides a wonderful, no-look reverse pass through to Matuidi. The PSG man takes a touch before drilling a low strike towards the target, but Greer is well-placed to make a vital block.
36'
This has been a dominant display from Deschamp’s men so far this evening, and Scotland have been no match for the power and guile of France’s attackers. With performances like this - albeit against a side who have not qualified - the tournament hosts will be extremely confident of making a real charge for glory this summer.
35'
O. Giroud has scored a goal for France!
GOOOOOAAAAAALLLL!! GIROUD DOUBLES THE LEAD! Well, it has certainly been coming, and again it is the Arsenal forward who has done the damage for the hosts. The chance came about due to a fine run from Payet, who drove his way to the cusp of the penalty area before hammering a strike goalwards. Marshall got across to make the stop, but could only parry the rebound into the path of the aforementioned striker, who made no mistake in doubling his tally with a first-time finish, making it France 2-0 Scotland!
31'
One player who has not been too heavily involved so far is Kante, but that is not down to the Leicester man putting in a poor display. He has been quietly effective so far in the deep-lying anchor role at the base of France’s midfield, retaining the shape and remaining disciplined. Although he lacks the passing range of Diarra, he is more than capable of taking the ball out from the back and feeding the more adventurous Pogba or Matuidi.
29'
CLOSE! That should have been two! Once more, Sagna gets free down the right and, just like for the opening goal, puts in a superb cross. However, unlike earlier on, Giroud did not make the run to get on the end of it, and Martin is able to get across and hook the ball clear in the six-yard box.
28'
Poor play from Giroud, as the France goalscorer concedes possession with a sloppy pass. Maloney makes the interception, playing a one-two with McCarthur before lofting in a cross towards Fletcher, but the striker had once again strayed offside.
26'
Although it appears that Coman will be the man to drop out for Griezmann when the finals start in six day's time, the youngster’s performance so far certainly bodes well. He has been lively and creative, enjoying the free-role he has been allowed so far, and he certainly presents a more than viable alternative to the aforementioned Atleti striker should the need arise.
24'
STAT FLASH - Gordon Strachan has lost just one of his last five games as the Scotland manager (W3 D1), though that defeat did come in their most recent game which also ended a run of three consecutive clean sheets (against Gibraltar, Czech Republic and Denmark).
21'
Better now, from the visitors, as Snodrgass does well to win a free-kick on the right flank. Ritchie whips in an in-swinging cross from the resulting set-piece, but Rami does well to rise highest and clear the danger, before France's defence move out as one to catch Fletcher offside when Scotland managed to get the ball back into the box.
19'
France are looking calm and composed in possession, with Scotland seemingly lacking the pace and energy to cope with the likes of Payet, Coman, Pogba and Matuidi - who have all started this clash in fantastic fashion. Strachan’s side must start to gain a foothold in this game if they are to avoid an embarrassment, you feel...
17'
GOOD SAVE! Top-class play from Coman once again, as the Bayern winger drifts inside from his berth on the right in order to pick up possession in the No.10 position. He uses his skill, agility and pace to get away from both Fletcher and Hanley before thumping a low strike towards the bottom-left corner, but Marshall reacts well in order to get down and make the stop.
15'
More excellent attacking play from the hosts, as Payet fools his marker with a sublime bit of footwork in order to set Evra free down the left. The resulting cross is cleared, but only as far as Matuidi, who plays a crisp pass over the top which Evra - still high upfield - controls expertly on his shoulder, but his eventual strike does not test Marshall.
13'
STAT FLASH - These two nations have met 15 times, with Scotland winning eight and France claiming victories from the remaining seven fixtures, with Les Bleus winning the last four non-competitive meetings.
11'
That’s just the start Deschamps would have demanded from his side following their less-than-convincing performance against Cameroon. Les Blues are in total control at the moment, and are pressing for a second as they look to wrap up this victory early on.
8'
O. Giroud has scored a goal for France! Assist by B. Sagna.
GOOOOOAAAALLL!! SUPERB STUFF FROM GIROUD! What a goal that is from the hosts, as Coman does brilliantly to weave his way around numerous challenges before teeing up Sagna with a neat throughball. The full-back wastes no time in drilling in a low cross towards his former Arsenal teammate, who continues his fine run of goalscoring form with an exceptional, back-heel finish that evades Marshall and nestles into the bottom-right corner. France 1-0 Scotland!
It was a sublime move from the hosts, with Coman and Sagna's excellent combination play carving open Scotland's defence before Giroud applied the finishing touch.
6'
Payet drops in a cross from the set-piece, but Scotland’s defence is well organised and they are able to clear. Ritchie leads the counter, eventually finding enough space to whip in a low delivery from the left, but Lloris reacts swiftly to smother the danger.
5'
Unlucky! That’s unfortunate for the visitors, as Ritchie is rather harshly punished for a challenge on Sagna. The Manchester City defender had played himself into trouble deep in France’s territory, but due to the referee’s lenient decision, gets away with it, and the hosts are able to quickly restart their attack, which in turn leads to a free-kick 40 yards out from goal.
3'
Superb play by Pogba down on the right, as the Juventus man twists and turns his way free of McArthur before sweeping in a dangerous cross towards the near post. Coman is there to meet it, but Hanley had tracked the danger and gets across to make a timely challenge as Scotland look to hold strong against this early France pressure.
2'
Almost! An early opportunity there for France, as Matuidi does brilliantly to drive through the heart of Scotland’s midfield and into the penalty area, but the Paris-Saint Germain midfielder cannot direct his resulting effort on target.
1'
KICK OFF! We are up and running in Metz, as the visitors, donning a vibrant pink away strip, get proceedings underway.
Hello, football fans! Welcome to this LIVE coverage of what promises to be a fantastic encounter between France and Scotland, as the Euro 2016 hosts cap-off their preparations for the tournament with a final warm-up friendly in Metz. Stick right here for all the action as it happens!
It has been a long-wait for France, but this year’s showpiece is finally upon us, with the home-nation set to kick-off the tournament against Romania in six day’s time. For now, though, the focus of Didier Deschamp’s side will be fully on tonight’s clash.
As for Scotland, who lost to Italy last time out, their failure to qualify for Euro 2016 means that this recent batch of friendlies has represented nothing more than a chance to prepare for the upcoming qualifying campaign for the World Cup - to be held in Russia. The Scots missed out on this year’s tournament after finishing fourth in a qualifying group that also included the Republic of Ireland, Poland and the current world champions Germany.
France have enjoyed a fantastic run of results in 2015/16, winning all-but one of their last eight fixtures - the one defeat in that streak coming against England at Wembley. Though Les Bleus have netted an entertaining 16 goals across their previous three friendlies, their most-recent success, a 3-2 win over Cameroon on Monday, was far from routine, with Deschamp’s men having to twice come from behind before Dimitri Payet secured the victory late on with a stunning free-kick.
While the results have been positive for France, rotten luck on the injury front has somewhat marred the build-up to the first major international tournament on French soil since 1998. While they are still amongst the favourites to lift the trophy, injuries to key players such as Raphael Varane, Jeremy Mathieu and Lassana Diarra - who dropped out of the squad just before Tuesday’s deadline - have caused some headaches for Deschamps.
The team news is in now from the Stade Saint-Symphorien in Metz, so without further ado let’s check on the full line-ups. We’ll begin by checking on the hosts…
This France line-up is expected to be the one that starts against Romania on Friday, with the exception of Antoine Griezmann, who only joined up with the squad earlier this week following Atletico Madrid’s defeat to city rivals Real last Saturday. The forward is expected to take the place of Kinglsey Coman, who starts up top alongside Payet and Olivier Giroud.
While off the field issues have prevented Karim Benzema or Mathieu Valbuena making the cut. The injuries to Varane and Mathieu - and the absence of Liverpool’s Mamadou Sakho - has meant that Sevilla defender Adil Rami has regained a berth in the squad, while Manchester United midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin has taken the place of Diarra.
TEAM NEWS - France (4-3-3): Lloris; Sagna, Rami, Koscielny, Evra; Pogba, Kante, Matuidi; Coman, Giroud, Payet.
Just the one, enforced change from Deschamps then, as the absent Diarra is replaced in the starting line-up by Leicester City powerhouse N’Golo Kante. The midfielder was an integral part of the Foxes’ march to the Premier League title, and it looks as if the former Caen man will now be a key part of France’s set-up as they aim to claim their first trophy in 18 years.
So, five changes in total from Strachan compared to the side that started against Italy last time out. Fresh from the sealing promotion back to the Premier League with Hull City at Wembley last Saturday, Robert Snodgrass, Shaun Maloney and Andrew Robertson come back into the fold - replacing Matty Phillips, Ikechi Anya and Charlie Mulgrew in the process. Up top, Steven Fletcher - who spent the second half of 2015/16 on loan at Ligue 1 side Marseille - replaces Ross McCormack, while the other alteration sees Gordon Greer take the place of Callum Paterson at the back.
Meanwhile the likes of Griezmann, Payet and star-man Paul Pogba all set to have major roles, and that is without mentioning players such as Anthony Martial and Andre-Pierre Gignac, who have both enjoyed superb campaigns at Manchester United and Tigres respectively.
Despite France’s injury set-backs, they have still being able to name an incredibly strong 23-man squad for the tournament, and that strength in depth is on full show this evening. While Giroud’s form for Arsenal is so often sporadic, his goalscoring at international level is consistent, with the former Montpellier striker - who has netted five times in his last four starts for Les Bleus - hoping to prove he is more than capable of filling the sizeable void left by the absence of the aforementioned Benzema.
We are just moments away from kick-off now in Metz, and it is a fantastic atmosphere at the Stade Saint-Symphorien as the two sides make their way out onto the pitch, and line-up in preparation for the national anthems.
First, it is the anthem of the visitors that blares out around the 27,000 capacity stadium. Plenty of travelling Scots have made the relatively short trip across the English channel to be here this evening - as they manage to get a brief taste of the action despite their side not qualifying for the finals. The hosts are next up, and soon enough, we will be ready for kick-off...
A bit of novelty now, as the match ball is delivered to the centre circle via a toy, remote-controlled car.
HALF TIME! That’s it for the first half in Metz, where a brace from Olivier Grioud - combined with a header from his Arsenal teammate Laurent Koscielny - has handed France a 3-0 lead over Scotland heading into the interval.
While there will be no complaints from the France coaching staff, Gordon Strachan will be far from pleased with his side’s lacklustre display. They have been outmuscled and outmatched so far, and it is simply a case of damage-limitation now for the visitors.
It has certainly been an excellent performance from Les Blues so far, and they started as they meant to go on - with Giroud netting after just eight minutes when he finished off a sweeping move with a sublime back-heeled effort. He then doubled the hosts’ lead shortly after the half-hour mark, before Koscielny rounded-off a fantastic first-half with a well-taken headed goal.
FULL TIME! It’s all over in Metz, where it has finished France 3-0 Scotland! It was a superb performance by Les Blues, as they capped off their Euro 2016 preparations in style!
The damage was done in the first half, with Olivier Giroud’s double putting the hosts in a commanding position before Laurent Koscielny headed in a third just before the interval. And although Didier Deschamp’s side pushed for a fourth after the restart - with Paul Pogba hitting the woodwork - they were unable to add to their lead, but still head into next week's Euro 2016 opener against Romania on teh back of a convincing victory.
Well, that’s all we’ve got time for this evening. Until next time, thank you and goodbye!
As for Scotland, there is certainly work to be done for Gordon Strachan. They were no match for France’s power and energy this evening, and it is perhaps a blessing in disguise that they are not going to the tournament and can instead concentrate on the upcoming World Cup qualification campaign.
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