Oliver Giroud slotted home a 79th minute penalty as France stuttered to 2-1 victory as the results leaves France top of European Championship Group H.
Match Report
Oliver Giroud scored a late penalty to give France a narrow 2-1 victory over Moldova at the Stade de France.
France were stunned when Moldova took the lead through Vadim Rata's ninth minute goal before Raphael Varane levelled before half-time.
But Moldova remained resolute and looked to have done enough to hold on for a point, only for Giroud to slot home a 79th minute winner from the spot.
Group Standings
Match Events
9' GOAL! France 0-1 Moldova (Rata)
GOAL!!! MOLDOVA TAKE THE LEAD! Lenglet makes an absolue mess of a headed clearance, sending it up into the air twice before failing to shield it and allowing Rata to squeeze a shot past Mandanda and into the net! It's 1-0 to Moldova!
29' Giroud's header wide out
MISS! It's another miss from Giroud! Digne swings in a wonderful cross from deep on the left that Giroud dives to head at goal, but he somehow steers his effort past the post with the goalkeeper beaten! He had to score there!
35' GOAL! France 1-1 Moldova (Varane)
GOAL!! FRANCE ARE LEVEL! Varane nods in after Koselev spills under pressure from Giroud to make it 1-1, but the Moldova players are furious! Replays show that Giroud stuck his arm up to handle the ball but retracted it at the last second, which put the goalkeeper off! However, the goal stands and we're level again!
51' Mbappe goes down in the box but ref says no penalty!
NO PENALTY! Mbappe drifts into a central area and jinks past one man before being challenged by another right on the edge of the box and going over. He and France are demanding a penalty but the initial contact was definitely outside the area and the referee waves play on in any case.
79' Penalty Goal! France 2-1 Moldova (Giroud)
GOAL!! GIROUD MAKES IT 2-1! After missing so many chances, the striker is handed the chance to redeem himself from the spot and sends Koselev the wrong way, lashing to his left and in! France lead! Digne cuts in from the left and dances past one challenge before Posmac slides in rashly to win the ball and takes the left-back out! The referee immediately points to the spot!