France held to frustrating stalemate in Belarus

France got their World Cup qualifying campaign off to a poor start as they were held to a goalless draw in Belarus in Group A on Tuesday.France, runners-up at this year’s European Championship, dominated the match but could find no way through with Olivier Giroud wasting their best opportunities.

Giroud pulled an effort wide when through on goal early in the second half and rattled the crossbar with a header.In the group’s other games, Sweden and the Netherlands drew 0-0 while Bulgaria came out on top 4-3 in a seven-goal thriller against Luxembourg.- Fact sheet:0 – Belarus: Gorbunov; Polyakov, Politevich, Sivakov, Bordachev; Korzun, Maevski; Kalachev, Gordeichuk (Valadzko, m. 85), Stasevich (Kivets, m. 69); Signevich (Kornilenko, m. 81).0 – France: Mandanda; Sidibé, Varane, Koscielny, Kurzawa; Moussa, Sissoko (Dembele, m. 69), Kanté, Pogba, Martial (Payet, m. 57); Griezmann, Giroud (Gameiro, m. 83).Referee: Ovidiu Hategan (Romania). Yellow cards: Sivakov (m. 56), Maevski (m. 90).Borisov Arena