France boss Didier Deschamps felt his side took an important step towards the 2018 World Cup with their 2-1 victory over Sweden on an emotional night at the Stade de France.

Friday’s match took place two days out from the first anniversary of the Paris terror attacks, and a silence for the victims was held just before kick-off.

When the contest got under way, France had to come from behind, with Emil Forsberg’s free-kick putting the Swedes ahead in the 55th minute.

Paul Pogba equalised three minutes later with a header from a cross by Dimitri Payet, who then capitalised on an error by Sweden goalkeeper Robin Olsen to strike the winner in the 65th minute.

It saw France move three points clear of Sweden at the top of European Qualifying Group A, with Les Bleus now on 10 points from four games.

Deschamps, in quotes reported in the French media yesterday, said after the match when asked if he would describe it as a decisive victory in France’s bid to qualify for Russia 2018: “Decisive no, but significant yes.

“Sweden had seven points and when you see what they did against us, it was important.

“It’s the result that counts – we could have been better, but it is also due to the Swedish team making it difficult for us.”

Regarding the silence before the game, Deschamps added: “These are always special times. It’s almost a year ago that France was hit deep, football too. Time passes, but no one can forget what happened.

“We must go ahead, okay, but it was important to show our solidarity with the victims of the terror attacks and their families.”