FRANCE got back on track in Group B after their defeat at Hampden with a 5-0 win over the Faroe Islands last night.
Thierry Henry's 22nd-minute goal put the Arsenal striker within three of Michel Platini's record for the national team, 41 goals.
Henry set up the opening goal for Louis Saha after only 36 seconds with a headed pass across goal that left the Manc
hester United striker with a simple tap-in.
Henry had several other chances but could not add to his tally and he was replaced by Nicolas Anelka after 61 minutes. Anelka then netted and David Trezeguet bagged a double.
In the other Group B match, Italy eventually overpowered Georgia 3-1 but they took charge only after the hosts were reduced to ten men early in the second half.
The world champions struggled to break down an inspired Georgian defence until Jaba Kankava was sent off by English referee Mike Riley 15 minutes after half-time for a second yellow card with the score at 1-1.
Midfielder Mauro Camoranesi headed the visitors into a 2-1 lead within a minute of the red card after a fine cross from Antonio Di Natale and Simone Perrotta added a third from close range shortly afterwards. Daniele De Rossi had opened the scoring for Italy in the 16th minute when his low drive from 27 yards completely fooled Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Lomaia.
Giorgi Shashiashvili equalised for the Georgians eight minutes later, sending a 55,000-strong partisan home crowd wild.
The full article contains 291 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
