Pogba ruled out of France friendly games

Hugo Lloris is certain that Karim Benzema can help push France on to a higher level despite a disappointing run in front of goal for the national team.

Antoine Griezmann, Yohan Cabaye and Karim Benzema (twice) all scored for Les Bleus in a strong 4-0 victory against the overmatched Armenians. The Crystal Palace man turned up on the edge of the area to accept the excellent Mathieu Valbuena’s squared ball and lash a dipping shot inside the far post (55′) to make it 2-0 with the fourth goal of his career in Bleu as France made sure their dominance was reflected on the scoreboard.

Griezmann opened the scoring 10 minutes before the interval, firing home a powerful low shot from just outside the box after a fine one-two with Benzema.

France have no qualifiers for Euro 2016 given that they are hosting the tournament, so Didier Deschamps has to make do with friendly matches to keep his side in shape. “He would like to score a little more, obviously, but we are a team so we wish that the French national team scores much more”, the 28-year-old told a press conference.

And he doubled his tally two minutes later, latching onto a pass from substitute Anthony Martial before calmly slotting in. Like in the past, a great French national team essentially needs a great collective.

“Paul Pogba, who had to leave the training session prematurely on Wednesday, underwent an MRI that showed a sprained ankle”, the FFF said in a statement.

A sloppy turnover from Armenia in midfield sent Griezmann off to the races down the right flank. Olivier Giroud would likely replace Benzema in that contest if the Real Madrid star was unable to play.

Armenia next faces Albania in European qualifying, meanwhile.