On Saturday night, France welcomed Scotland to Longeville-les-Metz in what was the Blues' final international friendly before Euro 2016.
A brace from Olivier Giroud and close-range Laurent Koscielny header left France with a comfortable lead at the interval.
The home side had chances to extend their lead in the second period, but it finished 3-0 against a Scotland team that failed to register a single shot on target.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live international coverage continues from Longeville-les-Metz as France welcome Scotland for a friendly. This is France's final friendly before Euro 2016 begins and they will be looking to build on their 3-2 win over Cameroon last time out. Scotland, meanwhile, will attempt to bounce back from a friendly defeat to Italy last weekend. It should be an entertaining international clash!
In total, France and Scotland have met on 15 occasions in international football. Scotland have actually won eight of those matches and France seven, meaning that there has never been a draw between these two nations. The last time that they met was during qualification for Euro 2008 and Scotland recorded 1-0 victories home and away over Les Bleus. Some achievement looking back!
That said, France recorded a 5-0 victory when the pair last clashed in a friendly in March 2002 and the Blues have won four of the last six meetings between the two countries in all competitions. Tonight, there is no question that the home side will start as the favourites as they look to put another win on the board ahead of the European Championships, which get underway next Friday night.
Without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from north-eastern France. Who has been selected? Any hint of Didier Deschamps's thinking for next week?!
TEAMS:
FRA: Lloris; Sagna, Rami, Koscielny, Evra; Pogba, Kante, Matuidi; Coman, Giroud, Payet
SCOT: Marshall; Martin, Greer, Hanley, Robertson; D.Fletcher, McArthur, Snodgrass; Maloney, S.Fletcher, Ritchie
Just the one change to the France team that took to the field against Cameroon last time out and it comes in midfield as N'Golo Kante replaces Lassana Diarra. Olivier Giroud retains his spot at centre-forward, while Kingsley Coman and Dimitri Payet will operate in the wide positions. Paul Pogba and Blaise Matuidi - certain starters next week - also retain their places in the middle of the park.
As for Scotland, Darren Fletcher will captain a team that includes a number of familiar faces. Crystal Palace midfielder James McArthur and Bournemouth's Matt Ritchie both start, while Shaun Maloney and Steven Fletcher are given roles in the final third. Further back, there are starts at centre-back for Gordon Greer and Grant Hanley, while Andrew Robertson will win his 10th cap from left-back.
So there we have it. The teams are in and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff on this mild evening in France. I shall speak about Scotland a little bit later, but let's start with the home team, who will enter this match off the back of a 3-2 friendly win over Cameroon in Nantes on Monday.
It did appear that the points would be shared after Cameroon substitute Maxim Choupo-Moting netted in the 88th minute to level the scores at 2-2, but Payet struck a wonderful free kick into the top corner in the final minute to add to goals from Matuidi and Giroud. There were plenty of positives on display and Deschamps will be looking for another strong performance from his side tonight.
Tonight's clash is France's final friendly before opening Euro 2016 against Romania in Paris on Friday night. The Blues will then take on Albania on June 15, before finishing their Group A campaign against Switzerland on June 19. In truth, it would be a major surprise if they failed to make it out of the group stages and many are tipping Deschamps's side to triumph on home soil.
As hosts of Euro 2016, France automatically qualified and as a result, have not actually played a competitive match since the 2014 World Cup. The Blues made it through the group stages in Brazil before beating Nigeria in the round of 16, but lost out to eventual winners Germany in the quarter-finals. It does seem incredible that they have not played a competitive game since July 2014.
France beat Spain 1-0 in their first friendly after the 2014 World Cup, but lost to Brazil, Belgium and Albania in 2015. They have won eight of their last nine friendlies, however, and not been beaten since losing to England at Wembley in November. That said, the result of that match was almost void after the devastating terrorist attacks that took place in Paris. Football just was not important.
France actually failed to make it out of the group stages in Euro 2008, but their record in recent competitions is pretty good. They won Euro 2000 and have made the quarter-finals in two of their last three competitions. In Euro 2012, they made it through to the final eight before losing out to eventual winners Spain. Both sets of players are currently going through their warm-ups here!
As for Scotland, Gordon Strachan's side will enter this match off the back of a 1-0 defeat to Italy last weekend. While England, Wales, Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland will compete in Euro 2016, there was no spot for Scotland, who failed to qualify after finishing fourth in Group D.
It was always going to be a tough ask for the Scots to qualify from a group that included Germany, Poland and Republic of Ireland and it was indeed those three nations that made it through. Scotland, meanwhile, won four of their 10 group matches, but 15 points saw them finish down in fourth.
Scotland have qualified for two European Championships, with their most recent participation occurring at Euro 1996. They failed to make it past the first round on both occasions, however, and have also not made the finals of a World Cup since 1998. It has been a tough few years for Scottish football, but they must now look ahead to another qualification campaign later this year...
... indeed, Scotland will open their 2018 World Cup qualification campaign away to Malta at the start of September. They will also be joined in Group F by England, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia and a date for your diary is November 11, which is when Scotland face England at Wembley!
Just a reminder of the two teams for tonight's match...
FRA: Lloris; Sagna, Rami, Koscielny, Evra; Pogba, Kante, Matuidi; Coman, Giroud, Payet
SCOT: Marshall; Martin, Greer, Hanley, Robertson; D.Fletcher, McArthur, Snodgrass; Maloney, S.Fletcher, Ritchie
KICKOFF! Here we go then - the national anthems have taken place and the flags have been exchanged. Looks like it is time for the football then! It is Scotland that kick things off in Metz...
... it must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium tonight. As expected, France have taken control of the possession in the early moments as they build from the back. France are in their new blue home kit tonight, while Scotland play in their away strip of pink!
Half-chance for France inside two minutes, but Matuidi's strike from close range is blocked over the crossbar by Hanley, who did not look too comfortable in a foot-race with the midfielder there!
Very strong France start as they force two corners and Scotland have to scramble clear!
Scotland have just managed to settle after a fast start from the home team, but all of the possession is France's and Giroud has just won a free kick in Payet territory here...
... CHANCE! Payet's free kick picks out Giroud, who attempts to convert from close range, but Marshall is on hand to make a very smart save. Scotland are in all sorts of bother here!
GOAL! France 1-0 Scotland (Giroud)
Giroud is not a favourite with the France supporters, but he has scored again! Wonderful finish from the Arsenal striker as he converts a low cross from Sagna with a terrific piece of skill!
Scotland just cannot get involved in this game at the moment as France continue to move the ball from left to right in the final third. Coman is drifting in from a wide position and Hanley is not sure whether to stay or go, which is opening space for Giroud. What a start from the French to this game.
The home supporters are enjoying themselves at the moment and why on earth not! Payet drives down the left and delivers, but Giroud just cannot make contact. Just a reminder that France have both Antoine Griezmann and Anthony Martial to come into this XI, which is a very scary thought.
Last-ditch clearance from Greer after Payet delivers another dangerous cross into the Scotland box. Evra is next to deliver from a wide position, but this time the cross is too strong. Payet is giving Russell Martin all sorts of problems in a wide position as he pulls out trick after trick here.
SAVE! Marshall gets down to keep out a strike from Coman as France come close again!
Scotland have just managed to enjoy a period of possession, but they are not really going anywhere at the moment as Steven Fletcher remains isolated in the final third. It has been a lesson from France in the opening 20 minutes and the home side look fired up for the start of Euro 2016 next week!
Better from Scotland in the last minute or two as they deliver two dangerous balls into the France box, but Pogba and Rami take it in turns to clear the danger. Payet is really enjoying himself at the moment as he continues to drop deep and pick up possession. Fascinating game of football here.
Only Steven Fletcher is in the France half at the moment as Scotland are forced to retreat in order to contain the latest spell of pressure. Giroud's effort remains the difference between the teams.
Both teams have been guilty of some mis-placed passes in the last couple of minutes, but France continue to look the most likely to score a second goal. Scotland are second best by some distance.
McArthur looks to chip a pass into Steven Fletcher as Scotland enjoy a rare venture forward, but the offside flag was raised and the ball was also just too strong. France break down the other end with Coman, who feeds Sagna and the right-back's cross is bundled over his own goal by Greer!
Not an awful lot to report in terms of attacking football in the last few minutes as France slow things down in the final third. Scotland are still waiting to register their first shot on target here.
GOAL! France 2-0 Scotland (Giroud)
Giroud has his second and France have their second as the striker converts from close range after Marshall had kept out a stinging effort from Payet. More boos from the supporters though!
Scotland just have not been good enough in this first 38 minutes. That is not a criticism of Scotland, rather praise for France, who have been so incredibly impressive on home soil tonight.
Matuidi has a strike blocked behind as France continue to unlock the Scotland defence.
SAVE! Marshall keeps out a close-range effort from Matuidi as France search for a third goal in the first period. Scotland are wobbling once again here.
GOAL! France 3-0 Scotland (Koscielny)
France have their third of the match in the 39th minute as Koscielny heads home from close range after a corner had been flicked towards the far post! Utter domination from the French tonight!
Worry for France as Evra goes down holding his right leg!
Evra is back on his feet and play resumes in the 44th minute. Scotland are enjoying a spell of possession inside the home side's half as we approach the final stages of the first period in Metz.
One additional minute to be played at the end of the first period.
HALF-TIME: France 3-0 Scotland
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with France leading 3-0 courtesy of a brace from Giroud and close-range Koscielny header. Giroud might have a strained relationship with the French supporters, but he has another two goals tonight and there is no arguing with his recent record. Scotland, in truth, have really struggled and look out of their depth in Metz tonight.
STATS! France have had more of the possession with 54%, while they have managed 11 attempts - six of which were on target. Scotland, on the other hand, have not registered a single attempt thus far tonight. No bookings and in truth, there has not been a challenge of real note.
BENCH WATCH! France have an embarrassment of riches on their bench, with the likes of Cabaye, Gignac, Griezmann, Martial and Sissoko all available for Deschamps. Scotland boss Strachan, meanwhile, has options in the shape of Anya, Bryson, McCormack, Naismith and Matt Phillips.
RESTART! France resume the action on home soil...
... FRANCE SUBS! Griezmann, Martial replace Payet, Coman for the home side.
Ritchie has the chance to break down the right for Scotland, but the Bournemouth attacker cannot beat Evra at the near post. As a result, France regain possession and can build from the back. The bad news for Scotland is that two of the best young players in world football have just entered the pitch!
SCOTLAND SUBS! Mulgrew, Anya replaced Maloney, Robertson at break.
Koscielny heads over the crossbar from a corner as France come close to a fourth of the night. Scotland are having to put in some last-ditch defending to prevent a fourth going in here!
Scotland have still not managed a shot on target tonight and that will be very disappointing for Strachan. It is no shame losing to this French team, but they have not really had a go themselves.
Matuidi and Evra combine down the left and Ritchie is forced to concede a corner as France continue to create opportunities in dangerous positions. The resulting corner is poked towards goal by Rami, but Marshall is on hand to make the save. This could be five or six at the moment here.
CHANCE! Scotland's best chance of the match arrives as Anya picks out the head of Steven Fletcher with a super cross, but the striker gets it all wrong and it goes for a throw-in!
Little over 30 minutes remaining and we are approaching the stage of the match where both managers will be considering more changes. That said, this France team might not be too far away from the one that starts against Romania on Friday night. Couple of spots up for grabs in the XI!
SCOTLAND SUB! Naismith replaces Steven Fletcher for the visitors.
Pogba has a low strike deflected wide of the post as France prepare Gignac for action.
SAVE! Super feet from Martial as the Manchester United striker drives into the box and attempts to put the ball through the legs of Marshall, but the Scotland goalkeeper makes the save!
France have a free kick just outside the box as McArthur brings Matuidi to the deck!
FRANCE SUB! Gignac replaces Giroud for the home team.
POST! Pogba stands over the free kick and crashes his effort against the post!
CLOSE! Martial turns a Matuidi cross wide of the post from close range!
SCOTLAND SUB! Kingsley replaces Snodgrass for Scotland.
SAVE! Gignac goes through one-on-one with Marshall, but the striker cannot beat the goalkeeper from close range. Cabaye is preparing to enter the field for France...
... FRANCE SUB! Matuidi is replaced by Cabaye.
I sense that Scotland would be pretty pleased to get out of here with a 3-0 defeat. The visitors are not too interested in attacking at the moment, rather containing this excellent French team. Spain and Germany will be strong in Euro 2016, but France will fancy their chances of triumphing on home soil.
SAVE! Marshall gets down low to keep out a drive from Cabaye!
Scotland threaten from a corner which is delivered straight on top of Lloris, but the whistle is blown after Naismith went in! Lloris spends some time on the deck, but soon returns to his feet!
In fairness to Scotland, this could have become five or six in the second period and the visitors have played for pride since the break. The travelling supporters deserve one goal to cheer!
There has still not been a yellow card tonight but Mulgrew is fortunate after bringing Griezmann to the deck! The resulting free kick will seemingly be taken by Pogba, who hit the post last time...
... Pogba does indeed have a go and it is not too far away! Just over the crossbar!
Possession football from France as they pass and probe in the final third of the field.
CHANCE! Cabaye scoops the ball over from close range after a super pass from Pogba!
FRANCE SUB! Digne replaces Evra for the home side.
Naismith fires one over the French crossbar after trying his luck from all of 30 yards!
FRANCE SUB! Kante, who was terrific tonight, is replaced by Sissoko.
Not an awful lot to report at the moment as France keep hold of the possession.
We are into the first of two additional minutes here.
CHANCE! Griezmann just heads over the crossbar from close range!
FULL-TIME: France 3-0 Scotland
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with France running out 3-0 winners over Scotland in their final friendly before Euro 2016. That is just about it from me tonight - thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action from Metz. See you again soon!
