World Cup photos: France thrash Switzerland 5-2

[caption id=“attachment_1582043” align=“alignleft” width=“940”] France all but secured a place in the knock-outs by thrashing Switzerland 5-2. Olivier Giroud opened the scoring in the 17th minute via a stunning header. Reuters[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_1582049” align=“alignleft” width=“940”] Olivier Giroud went wild in celebrations after giving France the lead. It was France’s 100th goal in World Cup finals. Reuters[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_1582047” align=“alignleft” width=“940”] 66 seconds later, Blaise Matuidi doubled the lead for France . Switzerland’s Velon Behrami conceded possession carelessly, Matudi capitalised on it quickly and fired home. Reuters[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_1582029” align=“alignleft” width=“940”] (L-R) France’s Patrice Evra, Olivier Giroud, Blaise Matuidi and Moussa Sissoko celebrate Matuidi’s goal. Two goals in two minutes and Switzerland were in complete shock. Reuters[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_1582025” align=“alignleft” width=“940”] France earned a penalty when Karim Bebzema was brought down inside the box by Johan Djourou but goalkeeper Diego Benaglio saved the penalty and then Mathieu Debuchy hammered the rebound against the woodwork. Reuters[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_1582045” align=“alignleft” width=“940”] Five minutes before the half time, Mathieu Valbuena made it 3-0, helping it into the net via a Giroud cross. Reuters[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_1582031” align=“alignleft” width=“940”] Karim Benzema finally got his deserved goal in the 67th minute to compound Switzerland’s misery. Reuters[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_1582041” align=“alignleft” width=“940”] France’s Karim Benzema celebrates after scoring a goal with his teammates. It was his third goal of the tournament. Reuters[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_1582033” align=“alignleft” width=“940”] Switzerland’s Xherdan Shaqiri (in red) is fouled by France’s Patrice Evra. Reuters[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_1582035” align=“alignleft” width=“940”] Karim Benzema (L) watches as Switzerland’s Xherdan Shaqiri falls to the ground in front of him as they fight for the ball. Reuters[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_1582135” align=“alignleft” width=“940”] Moussa Sissoko further compounded Switzerland’s miseries to make it 5-0 in the 73rd minute. Switzerland then scored two late consolation goals via Dzemaili and Xhaka respectively. AFP[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_1582151” align=“alignleft” width=“940”] France fans reveled in the win while Switzerland fans had a night to forget after receiving a hammering. AFP[/caption]