France gave beleaguered coach Raymond Domenech a much-needed respite after beating Serbia 2-1 in the World Cup qualifiers on Wednesday. Les Blues got off their qualifying campaign to an embarrassing start after slumping to a 3-1 defeat to Austria in their opening Group seven game. Domenech, who failed to steer France beyond the first round at EURO 2008, was subjected to fierce criticism and media even speculated he could lose his job should the team stumble against Austria. But France managed to claim a valuable victory over Serbia at the Stade de France. Barcelona striker Thierry Henry opened the scoring in the 54th minute when he controlled a Sidney Govou pass inside the area before driving the ball in at the near post. Chelsea's Nicolas Anelka, Henry's partner upfront, doubled France's advantage 10 minutes with a precise low shot from the edge of the area. Serbia reduced the deficit 14 minutes from time through a header by Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic. Klose's Excellence
Klose notched a hat-trick Germany came from behind three times to claim a 3-3 draw at Finland, thanks to a Miroslav Klose hat-trick. Finland led on three occasions. Jonatan Johansson broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute before Bayern striker Klose, who struggled to hit top form this season, cancelled out his strike five minutes later. Petri Vayrynen restored Finland's advantage two minutes before the break but Klose needed just one minute to level the score once again. Daniel Sjolund put Finland ahead for the third time in the 53rd minute but Klose came to Germany's rescue when he completed his hat-trick seven minutes from time. Elsewhere, a brace from Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi helped Italy claim their second successive victory in the qualifiers. The world champions defeated Georgia 2-0, thanks to De Rossi's goals either side of the interval.
