France build up Sweden advantage

France can feel confident ahead of Tuesday's UEFA European Under-21 Championship play-off decider against Sweden in Halmstad after taking a two-goal lead in Le Mans.

Florian Thauvin finished from the spot just before half-time after Ludwig Augustinsson was penalised for a handball in the area, and Pierre Mankowski's side doubled their advantage in the 81st minute as AS Monaco FC midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia got on the end of a corner.

Sweden goalkeeper Patrik Carlgren received a bit of good luck on 29 minutes when Thauvin's free-kick set up Anthony Martial, who failed to find the target from a good position. However, it was only to be a temporary respite, Thauvin converting his penalty on 43 minutes.

Things became more difficult for Sweden in this tie when, nine minutes from time, Paul-Georges Ntep De Madiba's well-flighted corner was glanced into the net by Kondogbia.