Football news - France hit four against Iceland to top Group H

World Cup holders France crushed Iceland 4-0 at home to go top of Group H in the Euro 2020 qualifiers.

France were looking to go top of their group but needed to win by three goals to go level with Turkey above them, while Iceland would have needed a four-goal cushion to do the same.

It was the home side who took the lead when Samuel Umtiti - back after months of problems with recurrent injuries - headed in early on. Kingsley Coman was still out after dropping out just before their 4-1 win over Moldova on Friday night.

In the second half, Birkir Bjarnason went close with a shot from distance to remind France of the dangers of a one-goal lead until Olivier Giroud became the undisputed third-highest goalscorer for his country, with 35 goals, to put France two up.

Kylian Mbappe’s goal 10 minutes later ensured that France ended the night on top of their group, and Antoine Griezmann made it four. Mbappe’s goal ensured France top their group, and they meet second-placed Turkey in June with a chance to go three points clear.

Do France even need a new striker? There is an assumption that they are looking for someone to offer more up front given Giroud’s one-dimensional approach play, but with Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe and Paul Pogba all on hand to assist them, perhaps they are able to function at their peak without overcomplicating things. International teams do not always benefit from complex approach play given the irregularity with which they meet.

Kylian Mbappe (France): Olivier Giroud showed his class with the second goal of the game, proving that a team of technical brilliance can often make the most of a straightforward striker. But it was Mbappe who stretched Iceland from the start of the game and kept them on the back foot with his runs down the right, scoring the third goal. Oh, and he set up the first.

France: Lloris 7, Pavard 7, Varane 7, Umtiti 8, Kurzawa 8, Pogba 7, Kante 7, Mbappe 8, Griezmann 7, Matuidi 6, Giroud 7. Subs: Lemar 6, Kimpembe 6, Sissoko 6.

Iceland: Halldorsson 7, Saevarsson 6, Ingason 6, Arnason 6, R. Sigurdsson 6, Magnusson 5, Sigurjonsson 5, Gunnarsson 5, Bjarnason 6, G. Sigurdsson 6, Gudmundsson 5. Subs: Traustason 6, Finnbogason 6, Skulason 6.

12’ - GOAL! France 1-0 Iceland. Umtiti scores - Mbappe sizes up a cross on the left, with plenty of players left in the box after the earlier corner, and he glances in a header against the back post and into the net.

24’ - MBAPPE CHANCE - Kante steals in to win the ball on the edge of the box, it's worked to Kurzawa on the left, and his low cross runs across the box without finding anyone. Mbappe is played in on the edge of the box, he jinks into space and drills in a low shot wide of the far post.

50’ - BJARNASON SHOT - Bjarnason hits a fierce drive from the edge of the box that forces Lloris to dive to his right and beat it away, demonstrating the dodgy position the French are still in.

68’ - GOAL! France 2-0 Iceland. Giroud scores - Pavard has the ball on the right wing, he picks out Giroud's run into the box and he directs the ball past Halldorsson with a simply volley.

78’ - GOAL! France 3-0 Iceland. Mbappe scores - That settles it, then. Pogba and Giroud swap passes, it's played on to Griezmann, and he slides in a pass for Mbappe through the middle to keep it under control before poking it past the 'keeper.

84’ - GOAL! France 4-0 Iceland. Griezmann scores - He's pleased with himself. Pogba turns towards goal, picks out Mbappe, who backheels into the path of Griezmann's run to allow him to lift the ball into the net.