Euro 2012 qualifying Group D: Luxembourg 0 France 2

France moved four points clear in Group D after seeing off Luxembourg 2-0 in Friday’s Euro 2012 qualifier.

Roma defender Philippe Mexes and Lyon midfielder Yoann Gourcuff scored in either half for the visitors, who were largely unimpressive despite the returning talents of Franck Ribery and Patrice Evra. Ribery and Evra were handed lifelines back to the national team by head coach Laurent Blanc after being suspended for their involvement in France’s player revolt at the 2010 World Cup.Both players were booed by a 2000-strong French contingent at the tiny Stade Josy Barthel in Luxembourg and made low-key comebacks.France struggled to unlock the hosts’ defence early, but a free kick from skipper Samir Nasri gave Mexes the opportunity to nod the visitors into the lead in the 28th minute.Real Madrid goal-scoring machine Karim Benzema went close for Les Bleus, as did Chelsea man Florent Malouda before half-time.Gourcuff livened up the action with a second goal on 72 minutes, the Lyon man volleying a deflected cross beyond Luxembourg goalkeeper Jonathan Joubert to seal the three points.Blanc’s men improve to 12 points on the Group D table, four points clear of second-place Belarus.