PARIS, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Karim Benzema added an assist to an early goal to outshine his Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo while France claimed a 2-1 victory at home over Portugal here on Saturday.
It was a European Championship qualifier/international friendly held at the Stade de France, since the home side have already qualified as hosts but play against all teams in Group I as preparation.
Benzema opened the scoring in as early as the third minute with a breezy tap when Bacary Sagna's shot was barred by Rui Patricio but the bounce just landed kindly for Benzema.
The 26-year-old was again on a key position at the 69th minute as he received it from the left and laid the ball off for an onrushing Paul Pogba, whose low effort just went past Patricio and into the bottom corner.
Eight minutes later, Pogba inadvertently clipped the heel of Joao Mario in the area and the visitors were awarded a penalty. Ricardo Quaresma fired it straight down the middle to give Portugal the only goal in this match.
Without three of their regular starting defenders, France, however, were hardly challenged during the match while C. Ronaldo did not come to life until late of the first half.
The Portuguese star came closest to an equalizer early in the second half, but Steve Mandanda made a brilliant clear-out.
France earn an automatic berth with other 53 European teams drawn into nine groups and top two of each group plus a best third-placed team advancing to the finals. The other eight third-placed will vie for the remaining four spots through playoffs.