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SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina - Karim Benzema and Florent Malouda's second-half goals gave France a much needed 2-0 win at Bosnia-Herzegovina on Tuesday as the visitors recovered from their disastrous start to 2012 European Championship qualifying.
France was in control from the start but couldn't capitalize on their many chances due to their poor finishing until Benzema was set up in the box by Gael Clichy and turned down a defender before slotting home with a left-footed powerful strike in the 72nd minute.
Malouda doubled his team's lead six minutes later following a nice collective move.
Laurent Blanc's side bounced back from its opening 1-0 home loss to Belarus last week at the Stade de France and now has three points from two matches in Group D.
"I feel a lot of joy inside, this match summarized all the good things I saw during our preparations but that we failed to put in place against Belarus," Blanc said. "I'm satisfied with the game we played and our state of mind. We were solid both in defence and up front. We deserve the three points. It could be the start of something good."
Bosnia, which opened its Euro 2012 campaign with a 3-0 win over Luxembourg, has also three points.
"What is there to say other than they were better and we can only congratulate them," Bosnia coach Safet Susic said. "Life goes on, there will be other matches."
Blanc opted for a 4-4-3 formation and made three changes from the team that lost last week at the Stade de France.
Marseille winger Mathieu Valbuena started on the right side behind Benzema, who was fit enough to play after recovering from an ankle injury, while Abou Diaby replaced Jeremy Menez.
Benzema, who scored his ninth goal with France, was a factor throughout and arguably played his best match with the national team so far.
Blanc also beefed up his midifield with Alou Diarra in the centre and taking the armband from Malouda.
France got off to a good start and dominated possession in the first half but could not find the cutting edge to break down a determined Bosnian defence.
Benzema went close in the 12th minute following a quick counterattack but hit the post with a right-foot strike. The Real Madrid striker was threatening again seven minutes later with a curled free kick just inches over the bar.
Diaby then set up Benzema with a precise pass in the box only to see Bosnian goalkeeper Kenan Hasagic keeping out the former Lyon forward's effort in the 26th.
AS Roma defender Philippe Mexes headed over a corner seconds later as the Bosnians struggled to keep the ball out of their half.
France struggled to regain the same tempo after half time as Blanc started to show his frustration on the touchline.
Bosnia finally created its first clear chance in the 65th minute when Lyon midfielder Miralem Pjanic forced France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris to a fine save with a 25-meter free kick.
France was rewarded of its efforts in the 72nd minute when Benzema collected Clichy's precise pass and showed his technique to beat a defender and score.
Malouda finished off France's swift move six minutes later after being set up by Valbuena from the penalty spot.
France, which crashed out in the first round at the World Cup, ended a four-game losing streak. It was also Blanc's first win since the former World Cup winner took over from former coach Raymond Domenech after the World Cup fiasco.
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Bosnia-Herzegovina: Kenan Hasagic, Emir Spahic, Elvir Rahimic (Ermin Zec, 74), Miralem Pjanic, Zvjezdan Misimovic, Edin Dzeko, Safet Nadarevic, Vedad Ibisevic (Sanel Jahic, 75), Senad Lulic, Senijad Ibricic, Mensur Mujda.
France: Hugo Lloris, Bacary Sagna, Adil Rami, Philippe Mexes, Gael Clichy, Philippe Mexes, Yann Mvila, Alou Diarra, Abou Diaby, Mathieu Valbuena, Florent Malouda (Brice Matuidi, 80), Karim Benzema.
