France scored two goals within the space of a minute as they went on to demolish Switzerland 5—2 on Friday and lay claim to a place in the round of 16.

The victory left France undisputed toppers of Group E on six points and established them as a serious challenger to the other favourites in the World Cup.

Karim Benzema was one of the French heroes, scoring once to take his tally of goals for the tournament to three and deservedly winning the man-of-the match award.

France took a three-goal lead into half-time and added two more before easing off and allowing Switzerland two late consolation goals in the highest-scoring game of the World Cup so far.

“That was a good game, we got lots of things right. Five goals against a strong Swiss team, that’s brilliant. A wonderful evening,” said French coach Didier Deschamps.

“We now have to wait and see if we win the group or finish second. It’s back to square one in the round of 16. Everything’s gone well so far. We’ve got a wonderful team spirit.”

Swiss coach Ottmar Hitzfeld was visibly disappointed and said he expected a defiant response from his squad in the final group match against Honduras on Wednesday.

“We had a very bad day and failed to live up to our potential. The two quick goals were a mortal blow,” Hitzfeld said.

Oliver Giroud headed in the first for France on 17 minutes and Blaise Matuidi volleyed home a second almost immediately afterwards before Mathieu Valbuena lengthened the French lead five minutes before half-time.

The Swiss suffered a blow early on when defensive lynchpin Steve von Bergen was forced to leave the pitch with a facial injury after being caught by the boot of Giroud when going for a high ball.

After the break France scored a fourth on 67 minutes when substitute Paul Pogba passed to Benzema, who smashed home the ball to pull level with Germany’s Thomas Mueller and Dutch pair Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie as the tournament’s top scorers.

The fifth followed six minutes later when Benzema put through Moussa Sissoko, who scored his first international goal for France.

France had an earlier attempt to go further ahead thwarted when Benzema missed a penalty. After being tripped up in the area Benzema took the kick himself but the ball was punched clear by keeper Diego Benaglio to Yohan Cabye, who thumped it against the crossbar.

Mehmedi should have pulled one back for Switzerland when Mathieu Debuchy failed to clear a cross, but the striker ballooned the ball over the bar as French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris raced off his line.

Switzerland grabbed two consolation goals in the last 10 minutes when Blerim Dzemailia converted a free kick by firing through the French defensive wall and Granit Xhaka volleyed home from inside the area.

Benzema thought he scored a second goal in the dying seconds, but Dutch referee Bjorn Kuipers blew the whistle in the middle of the French attack and refused to allow the goal to stand.

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