POGBA’S TRIBUTE TO FATHER AS FRENCH ROCK RUSSIANS
PAUL POGBA looked to the heavens after scoring a wonder goal as France proved too strong for Russia in St Petersburg last night. The Manchester United midfielder’s father, Fassou Antoine, died last May after a long illness. He would have been 80 yesterday. In tribute Pogba had written ‘Joyeux Anniversaire, Papa. Allah y Rahmou,’ on his T-shirt which translates as ‘Happy Birthday, Papa, may Allah have mercy on you.’ Later he tweeted: ‘Happy birthday Dad, merci for watching over me and my brothers.’ Pogba has struggled in a disappointing campaign under Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford, but the stunning free-kick which prompted his emotional tribute came four minutes into the second half and put France in control at 2-0 up. Just four days after losing to Colombia at home, France were in far better form. Pogba set up Kylian Mbappe for the first of his two goals just before the interval. Russia reduced the arrears through Fyodor Smolov, but Mbappe, 19, sealed the win seven minutes from the end. After the lacklustre show in Friday’s 3-2 defeat by Colombia, France coach Didier Deschamps made seven changes. His team went ahead five minutes before half-time when Mbappe collected a fine through ball from Pogba, dribbled past a defender and beat Russia keeper Andrey Lunyov with a low shot. The visitors stepped up a gear in the second half and Pogba doubled the tally as he curled a free-kick into the top corner from 30 yards out. Second-half substitute Igor Smolnikov delivered a perfect cross for Smolov, who halved the deficit with a clinical half volley in the 68th minute. Mbappe, however, made sure of France’s victory when he slalomed through the defence and beat Lunyov again with another low shot.