World Cup qualifier: Ribéry strike sinks Lithuania | inside World Soccer

World Cup qualifier: Ribéry strike sinks Lithuania

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Lithuania
Lithuania flag
0 - 1
France flag
France

Franck Ribéry 67


Franck Ribéry was France's hero as he scored the lone goal in their 1-0 victory at Lithuania.

France comfortably monopolised possession in the opening stagesbut failed to convert their domination into goals.

Les Bleus' best chance of the first half came in the 44th minute when a Yoann Gourcuff corner-kick diverted by Thierry Henry toward an unmarked Jérémy Toulalan at the far post, but Deividas Česnauskis brilliantly blocked the midfielder's close-range effort.

Péguy Luyindula spurned a clear opportunity to break the deadlock five minutes after the re-start as his heavy first touch allowed Lithuania goalkeeper Žydrūnas Karčemarskas to clear the ball before he could shoot.

The breakthrough finally came midway through the second half after Gourcuff teed up Ribéry to fire a stunning left-footed effort past Karčemarskas from the edge of the box.

Samir Nasri, who replaced Gourcuff in the 78th minute, almost increased the lead after playing a one-two with Henry, but Karčemarskas managed to thwart Nasri's low shot with his feet.

France remained in third place in Group 7 with seven points, two points behind Lithuania and five behind Serbia, but with a game in hand on both.


Lineups:

Lithuania: Karčemarskas; Deividas Cesnauskis, Skerla, Dedura, Klimavičius; Šemberas, Panka (Poškus 81), Šernas, Savėnas (Ivaškevičius 66); Edgaras Česnauskis (Mikoliūnas 86), Danilevičius

France: Mandanda; Sagna, Squillaci, Gallas, Evra; Toulalan, Diarra; Gourcuff (Nasri 78), Ribéry, Luyindula (Benzema 64), Henry


Lithuania v France goal & highlights



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