Euro 2016 qualifiers: Joao Moutinho sees Portugal progress, Karim Benzema scores brace for France

Joao Moutinho got the only goal of the game as Portugal confirmed top spot in the Euro 2016 qualifying Group I. Karim Benzema helped France to an emphatic 4-0 win over Armenia.

Braga: Midfielder Joao Moutinho got the only goal of the game as Portugal confirmed top spot in the Euro 2016 qualifying Group I with a victory against Denmark. Meanwhile, a double from striker Karim Benzema helped France to an emphatic 4-0 win over Armenia.

The match, that concluded here on Thursday, ended the Danish campaign on a low note as the Portuguese No.8 flashed in the winner in the 66th minute.

Denmark are now one point ahead of Albania in the group. Albania play against hosts Armenia on Sunday knowing only a victory will deny the Danes the second automatic qualifying place.

There was little difference between the teams throughout the match.

The hosts though slowly gained the upper hand and midfielder Nani almost broke the deadlock moments before the interval when his looping header struck the crossbar.

Denmark took the contest to the home side after the restart as striker Nicklas Bendtner crashed a shot against the post after controlling smartly on his chest.

Portugal fought back and forced a good save from goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.

But he could do nothing when Moutinho collected a clearance on the edge of the box, cut inside a defender and rifled the ball into the corner with his right foot.

A double from striker Karim Benzema helped France to an emphatic 4-0 win over Armenia in the 2016 Euro qualifiers.

The home side dominated possession from the outset and Armenia goalkeeper Gevorg Kasparov held France at bay when he reacted quickly to keep out a deflected Patrice Evra cross here on Thursday.

Lassana Diarra impressed with his energy and composure at the base of the France midfield on his return to the international fold after an absence of five years.

Armenia grew into the match with captain Henrikh Mkhitaryan invariably at the heart of things. The playmaker was involved in the visitors' best chance, slipping the ball to Karlen Mkrtchyan, whose low cross was nearly turned in by Artem Simonyan.

Nice-born French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris was cheered every time he intervened, frequently called into action as a sweeper-keeper as Armenia looked for space in behind the centre-halves.

Raising their game, France took the lead ten minutes before the break, striker Antoine Griezmann exchanging passes with Benzema before firing a right-footed shot through Kasparov's legs for his first international goal in 11 months.

Ten minutes into the second half Yohan Cabaye's terrific goal extended France's advantage. After playing a glorious crossfield ball to Mathieu Valbuena, the midfielder continued his run.

Picked out at the edge of the box, he took one touch to control and with his second dispatched the ball into the bottom corner.

Benzema soared high to head in a Griezmann corner in the 78th minute and soon helped himself to a second, profiting from an astute deflection by substitute Anthony Martial to apply a confident finish.