France go clear with emphatic win

France eased past Armenia to go three points clear at the top of UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying Group 10.

France controlled much of the opening period and had three goals to show for their efforts at the break courtesy of Anthony Martial, Loïck Landre and Florian Thauvin. Thauvin hit his second and then a third from the spot before Sébastien Haller completed the scoring to ensure France go clear of second-placed Iceland at the top of the section.

Willy Sagnol's charges dominated much of the early possession but failed to turn their chances into goals until Martial burst on to Jordan Veretout's pass to open the scoring in the 27th minute. Landre struck his second in as many qualifying outings to double the lead four minutes later from Thauvin's corner before the provider turned goalscorer with a sublime free-kick shortly before half-time.

The Olympique de Marseille forward needed just ten minutes of the second period to double his tally with a header. Thauvin completed his hat-trick with a coolly taken 71st-minute penalty following Varazdat Haroyan's handball and Haller was also on target from distance three minutes from time.