Six-Shooting French Keep Up Pressure

Oct 14 2007 James Cairns Reports

FAROES 0

FRANCE 6

FRANCE shrugged off the inconvenience of only landing in the Faroes three hours before kick-off to trounce their hosts and keep the pressure on Scotland and Italy at the top of Group B.

Raymond Domenech's squad had set off on Friday morning in order to comply with UEFA rules about arriving in the host country at least 24 hours before the game.

However, heavy fog in the Faroes prevented their aircraft from landing and the French Federation were given special dispensation by the governing body because of the adverse weather.

The delay mattered little, though, as Le Bleus went ahead after seven minutes, Bolton's Nicolas Anelka beating Jakup Mikkelsen in the Faroes' goal.

Sixty seconds later and Barcelona's Thierry Henry had doubled the advantage - and written himself into the record books.

The striker scored from the edge of the box for his 41st goal for France, equalling the record of the legendary Michel Platini, now UEFA's top man.

The former Arsenal hitman said: "It's extraordinary that I'm up there with Michel. He made France dream during his time as a player.

"However, the most important thing today was to get the victory and keep ourselves in touch at the top of the group.

"It's not obviously ideal to have to start a game when you have only landed in the country only three hours before kick-off."

The second half began much as the first had with an early goal for the visitors, Karim Benzema the man on target to make it 3-0 after 49 minutes.

Henry then almost created a record of his own on 62 minutes but Mikkelsen denied him with a fine save.

However, a further goal was only delayed a matter of two minutes, Jerome Rothen getting the fourth.

Benzema got his second after 79 minutes and Hatem Ben Arfa rounded off the rout with France's sixth goal right on time.