Thierry Henry scored his first goal in six international games as France overcame a spirited Cyprus side in Nicosia.

Sylvain Wiltord had earlier given the French a deserved first half lead, but they failed to build on it in the early stages of the second half as Cyprus fought hard for an equaliser. But Henry’s clinical finish ensured that France took home the points and a joint share of top spot in the group.

Cyprus: Nicos Panagiotou; Nikos Nikolaou (Lambrou 76), Kakoyiannis, Okkarides, Okkas; Charalambides (Makrides 56), Konstantinou, Charalambous, Georgiou (Yiasoumi 82); Ilia ,Satsias

France: Barthez; Gallas, Silvestre, Squillaci, Givet; Vieira, Dacourt (Diarra 89), Pires (Moreira 46), Wiltord; Henry, Luyindula (Evra 66)

Ref: Larsen (Den)