Before Benzema The Granit Xhaka Had A Goal Ruled Out For Switzerland
Despite missing a penalty, Didier Deschamps' men rolled over Ottmar Hitzfeld's side to pick up another win in the World Cup.France produced a scintillating display to rout a sorry Switzerland side 5-2 and all but secure a second-round spot at the World Cup.Having survived a physical Honduras side in their Group E opener, Didier Deschamps' men faced a seemingly harder task in Salvador, nevertheless they ran roughshod in an exhilarating display that left Ottmar Hitzfeld's men shell-shocked.Olivier Giroud, Blaise Matuidi and Mathieu Valbuena were all on target in a breathless opening 45 minutes by which Karim Benzema missed a penalty.
He made amends along with his third objective of the tournament within the second half, before applying the assist for Moussa Sissoko to make it five.Switzerland - who beat Ecuador 2-1 in their first pool match - were stunned by two goals in as many first-half minutes, first Giroud crashing a header past Diego Benaglio, prior to the goalkeeper was beaten easily by Matuidi's shot.Granit Xhaka were built with a goal ruled out for Switzerland, before Benzema - who notched a brace against Honduras - saw Benaglio save his spot-kick.It made little difference as Valbuena capped of a wonderful counter-attack in the 40th minute to effectively end the competition by half-time.
Benzema's close-range strike and a Sissoko effort added further gloss within the second period, before Blerim Dzemaili and Xhaka bagged late consolations.France are now on the brink of the last 16 having taken a maximum six points, while Switzerland still have work to do in their final pool encounter with Honduras.Switerland's woes started early when Steve von Bergen caught a boot with a backlash from Giroud coupled with to be replaced.And Giroud was in the thick of the action again when he put France ahead in the 17th minute.The Arsenal striker leapt highest to thump Valbuena's corner past Benaglio who, despite obtaining a full hand towards the ball, couldn't keep the effort out.Just a minute later France took complete control.Benzema pounced on Valon Behrami's poor pass before playing in Matuidi relating to the left of the box and that he side-footed past Benaglio at the near-post, the goalkeeper perhaps beaten too easily.
Switzerland showed more intent following the break, but were restricted to long shots.Despite the improvement, France had a fourth when substitute Paul Pogba's fine ball with the beyond his boot was swept home by Benzema, Philippe Senderos not helping his side with a poor attempted clearance.France made it five just six minutes later, Benzema once again involved as he laid on for Sissoko to drill home for the right side of the box.Dzemaili pulled an ambition back with a low 30-yard strike within the 81st minute, before Xhaka added further respectability towards the scores when he met Gokhan Inler's chipped pass along with a superb guided volley, however it was too little too late.Benzema was denied a sensational late sixth because the whistle had gone before his first-time strike of your edge of the therapy lamp had hit the back of the web, much to the Real Madrid forward's annoyance.
He made amends along with his third objective of the tournament within the second half, before applying the assist for Moussa Sissoko to make it five.Switzerland - who beat Ecuador 2-1 in their first pool match - were stunned by two goals in as many first-half minutes, first Giroud crashing a header past Diego Benaglio, prior to the goalkeeper was beaten easily by Matuidi's shot.Granit Xhaka were built with a goal ruled out for Switzerland, before Benzema - who notched a brace against Honduras - saw Benaglio save his spot-kick.It made little difference as Valbuena capped of a wonderful counter-attack in the 40th minute to effectively end the competition by half-time.
Benzema's close-range strike and a Sissoko effort added further gloss within the second period, before Blerim Dzemaili and Xhaka bagged late consolations.France are now on the brink of the last 16 having taken a maximum six points, while Switzerland still have work to do in their final pool encounter with Honduras.Switerland's woes started early when Steve von Bergen caught a boot with a backlash from Giroud coupled with to be replaced.And Giroud was in the thick of the action again when he put France ahead in the 17th minute.The Arsenal striker leapt highest to thump Valbuena's corner past Benaglio who, despite obtaining a full hand towards the ball, couldn't keep the effort out.Just a minute later France took complete control.Benzema pounced on Valon Behrami's poor pass before playing in Matuidi relating to the left of the box and that he side-footed past Benaglio at the near-post, the goalkeeper perhaps beaten too easily.
Switzerland showed more intent following the break, but were restricted to long shots.Despite the improvement, France had a fourth when substitute Paul Pogba's fine ball with the beyond his boot was swept home by Benzema, Philippe Senderos not helping his side with a poor attempted clearance.France made it five just six minutes later, Benzema once again involved as he laid on for Sissoko to drill home for the right side of the box.Dzemaili pulled an ambition back with a low 30-yard strike within the 81st minute, before Xhaka added further respectability towards the scores when he met Gokhan Inler's chipped pass along with a superb guided volley, however it was too little too late.Benzema was denied a sensational late sixth because the whistle had gone before his first-time strike of your edge of the therapy lamp had hit the back of the web, much to the Real Madrid forward's annoyance.
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