Played
September 11, 2012 3:00 PM EDT
Stade de France — Paris
Referee: H. Gocek
Attendance: 55000
September 11, 2012 3:00 PM EDT
Stade de France — Paris
Referee: H. Gocek
Attendance: 55000
World Cup Qualifying Preview: France - Belarus
The 1998 world champions face the Eastern Europeans in Group I of World Cup qualifying, with the visitors hoping to emulate their 1-0 win in Paris exactly two years ago
By Mohammed Ali
| PROBABLE LINEUPS |
|
FRANCE
 Lloris Reveilliere, Sakho, Yanga-Mbiwa, Evra Diaby, Cabaye, Mavuba, Menez, Benzema, Ribery |
BELARUS
 Veremko Zhavnerchik, Polyakov, Verk'tsov, Mar'vich Putsila, Kislyak, Nekhaychik, Kulchiy Bressan, Kornilenko |
France coach Didier Deschamps is sweating on the fitness of Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby, after the 26-year-old starred and scored in Friday's 1-0 win over Finland.
Diaby, who has just returned from an injury-plagued season in north London will not want to be risked by his club, after the impressive performance at the Olympic Stadium. Nevertheless, the former Marseille boss could ring the changes, with Olivier Giroud, Laurent Koscielny, Adil Rami and Blaise Matuidi in line for a starting berth.
Giroud was omitted from Friday's squad due to a minor knock, but trained throughout the weekend, and is fit for contention. Gael Clichy did not train on Sunday.
Belarus coach Georgy Kondratiev could also tinker with his side after the disappointment of the 1-0 defeat to Georgia in Tbilisi.
Sergei Kornilenko will lead the side, with Renan Bressan of BATE Borisov labelled as the visitors' key player. Midfielder Syarhey Kislyak scored the winner as Belarus won at the Stade de France two years ago in the first match of Euro 2012 qualifying.
| DID YOU KNOW? |
- France sits atop of Group I along with Georgia following a 1-0 win over Finland.
- The two sides' last encounter in Paris ended in a shock 1-0 victory for Belarus, during Euro 2012 qualifying.
- Didier Deschamps' side has never defeated Belarus in two attempts.
- Belarus commenced World Cup qualifying with a disappointing 1-0 defeat away to Georgia.
- The Eastern European side is still yet to taste defeat against the French, drawing 1-1 in Minsk in June 2011.
- Belarus is ranked 76th in the world by FIFA, moving up one place from the previous month.
- Yan Tsiharow is in line to make his 25th appearance for the national team.
Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
-
France 2-0 Belarus
- 29.77 %
-
France 3-0 Belarus
- 14.72 %
-
France 2-1 Belarus
- 9.7 %
| WCQ 2014 (UEFA) (WCQE) | Sep 11, 2012 | France 3 - Belarus 1 |
|
| European Championship Qualification 2012 (EC) | Jun 3, 2011 | Belarus 1 - France 1 |
|
| European Championship Qualification 2012 (EC) | Sep 3, 2010 | France 0 - Belarus 1 |
|
France
   |
||
| Mar 26, 2013 | France 0 - Spain 1 | WCQE |
| Mar 22, 2013 | France 3 - Georgia 1 | WCQE |
| Feb 6, 2013 | France 1 - Germany 2 | FR |
| Nov 14, 2012 | Italy 1 - France 2 | FR |
| Oct 16, 2012 | Spain 1 - France 1 | WCQE |
Belarus
  |
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| Mar 25, 2013 | Canada 0 - Belarus 2 | FR |
| Mar 21, 2013 | Jordan 1 - Belarus 0 | FR |
| Feb 6, 2013 | Hungary 1 - Belarus 1 | FR |
| Nov 14, 2012 | Israel 1 - Belarus 2 | FR |
| Oct 16, 2012 | Belarus 2 - Georgia 0 | WCQE |
| 1 | Hugo Lloris | Goalkeeper |
| - | Christophe Jallet | Defender |
| 5 | Mamadou Sakho | Defender |
| - | Mapou Yangambiwa | Defender |
| 3 | Patrice Evra | Defender |
| - | Etienne Capoue | Midfielder |
| 7 | Franck Ribéry | Midfielder |
| - | Rio Antonio Mavuba | |
| 6 | Yohan Cabaye | Midfielder |
| 10 | Karim Benzema | Striker |
| 9 | Olivier Giroud | Striker |
| 1 | Mickaël Landreau | Goalkeeper |
| 16 | Steve Mandanda | Goalkeeper |
| 4 | Adil Rami | Defender |
| - | Anthony Réveillère | |
| 22 | Gael Clichy | Defender |
| 21 | Laurent Koscielny | Defender |
| - | A. Diaby | |
| 12 | Blaise Matuidi | Midfielder |
| 21 | Maxime Gonalons | Midfielder |
| 8 | Mathieu Valbuena | Midfielder |
| 14 | Jérémy Menez | Midfielder |
| 18 | Bafetimbi Gomis | Striker |
Results
Live
Final
scheduled
Suspended
Cancelled
Postponed
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Edin Dzeko Striker Man City |
7 | 0 |
|
Tomer Hemed Striker Mallorca |
6 | 0 |
|
Mesut Özil Midfielder Real Madrid |
5 | 2 |
|
Wayne Rooney Striker Man United |
5 | 1 |
|
Robin van Persie Striker Man United |
5 | 1 |
