Late goals from Antoine Griezmann and Dimitri Payet saw hosts France edge past Albania to become the first side to reach the Euro 2016 knockout stage.
Albania struck the post shortly after half-time when Ledian Memushaj bundled a cross past France keeper Hugo Lloris.
France striker Olivier Giroud also hit the upright before substitute Griezmann ended Albania’s resistance by nodding in Adil Rami’s right-wing cross.
Payet stroked in with the final kick to give the scoreline a flattering look.
Les Bleus scored with the game’s only two shots on target, struggling to break down a stubborn Albania side as Giroud missed three free headers at Marseille’s Stade Velodrome.
Defeat was harsh on the European Championship debutants, who looked to have done enough to earn their first point.
France needed a late goal from Payet to beat Romania in Friday’s opening game, and another dramatic win means they are assured of a last-16 place before their final Group A match against Switzerland.
Albania, who lost their opening game against the Swiss, must beat Romania on Sunday to stand any chance of qualifying.
Almost a year ago, Didier Deschamps experienced one of his lowest points as France manager as his side lost to Albania in a friendly.
It was their third defeat in four international matches, a performance the French media described as “lacklustre”, “listless” and “worrying”.
For almost 90 minutes here, it looked as though another performance against Giovanni de Biasi’s side would lead to an inquest on the back pages.
Les Bleus were expected to breeze past a side ranked 42nd in the world, a place above Scotland, but lacked invention and creativity until Griezmann’s intervention.
The Atletico Madrid forward’s glancing header brought relief to the majority of the 64,000 crowd, sparking celebrations similar to those that followed Payet’s winner against Romania.
Source: BBC Sports
