Gameiro hits double in handsome France win

Paris - Kevin Gameiro marked his first international start in almost five years with a brace as France came from behind to beat Bulgaria 4-1 and kick-start its World Cup qualifying campaign on Friday.

On its first outing at the Stade de France since losing the Euro 2016 final to Portugal in July, France fell behind to an early Mihail Aleksandrov penalty before Atletico Madrid striker Gameiro - not part of the European Championship squad - got the equaliser.

Dimitri Payet and Antoine Griezmann ensured the home side went into the interval with a comfortable advantage and Gameiro completed an ultimately handsome victory in the second half.

It was France's first win in Group A of European qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia and set Les Bleus up nicely for Monday's trip to the Netherlands, 4-1 winners at home to Belarus on Friday.

Gameiro, back in favour at the age of 29, started as coach Didier Deschamps made five changes to the side that could only draw 0-0 in Belarus in its opening qualifier a month ago.

Georgi Milanov was fouled in the area by Bacary Sagna and Aleksandrov stepped up to net the resulting penalty.

France drew level midway through the first period, Sagna making amends for his role in the penalty by crossing from the right for Gameiro, who stooped to head the ball into the far corner past Vladislav Stoyanov.

It was only Gameiro's second international goal, his first since netting in a friendly in Ukraine in June 2011.

Three minutes later, France was in front when a Payet cross from the left went all the way in without anyone getting a touch.

Disaster had been averted for France and it was then gifted a third goal seven minutes before the break.