THAT WILL DO IT! ALBANIA HOLD ON TO SECURE THIS HISTORIC VICTORY!
90' +2
Following a good spell of Albanian possession, France win the ball back and break quickly. They win a free kick on the left that Valbuena delivers, but the danger is cleared. It comes back to the Dynamo Moscow man, but he fails to control it, accidentally knocking the ball our for an Albania throw.
90'
Pogba runs to meet a cross, but sends a header straight at Berisha as the board goes up to indicate four minutes of stoppage time.
88'
A. Fejzullahu enters the game and replaces S. Çikalleshi.
Abysmal from Fekir! Following a corner, Albania struggle to clear their lines and the pressure remains on. The ball comes to Fekir on the left and he has plenty of options in the centre, but terribly scuffs his cross as it sails miles over the bar. Albania use the stoppage to make another change and wind time off the clock.
86'
Wonderful goalkeeping! Ntep shows great skill on the left to elude his marker and skip into the area. He has a clean look at the near post from a difficult angle, but but Berisha stands his ground to turn the effort aside.
84'
DREADFUL EFFORT! Pogba is the one to take this time, although Valbuena nearly scored from close to the same location 10 minutes ago. The Juventus midfielder lifts his shot over the wall but it was always rising, sailing well over the bar and behind for a goal kick.
83'
Cynical challenge there from Cikalleshi, who carelessly trips up Valbuena from behind. That certainly looked like a striker trying to defend and a few of his teammates are not happy as France will have a glorious chance now from the ensuing set piece.
81'
STAT ATTACK: These teams have met five times in their history - this is the sixth - and Albania have never recorded a victory (D1, L4). Les Blues won the first four, until settling for a 1-1 draw in November in Rennes.
80'
B. Balaj enters the game and replaces E. Kaçe.
79'
The board goes up to indicate the end of Kace's night, and you should hear this crowd! There is an absolutely thunderous applause as the goalscorer gives way, but his strike has Albania in position to beat France for the first time in their history. Rijeka's Bekim Balaj will come on to replace him.
Minute
Description
77'
Over by Fekir! Pressure is starting to mount from France and Lacazette wins the latest free kick. It is taken by his Lyon teammate, but from 25-yards out he can't get it to dip enough as it sails over the bar.
75'
SPECTACULAR SAVE! That is absolutely stunning from Berisha! The Lazio keeper flies through the air and somehow keeps Valbuena's free kick off the line! That was truly magnificent.
74'
L. Cana gets yellow.
Questionable decision from the referee, but that's some brilliant running from Pogba. The midfielder bursts forward through the centre, backing up the defence. Cana rushes across and slides in well, stopping the run, but the referee issues a foul as the ball struck his arm while he was on the ground. More importantly will be this ensuing free kick.
72'
B. Sagna enters the game and replaces C. Jallet.
S. Lilaj enters the game and replaces M. Basha.
The break sees both teams make a change. Bacary Sagna comes on to replace Jallet for the French. Sabien Lilaj, who plays his club football domestically, is on for Basha.
70'
Like the first half, there is another stoppage for the players to grab a drink and cool off. It's come at an inopportune time for France who were just maybe starting to find their legs.
68'
BREAKING: Shot on goal for France! It's the first in seemingly ages, but the 2016 hosts finally seem to be finding their rhythm. Valbuena gets on the end of a short passing move and tests Berisha with a well-placed shot from the top of the box.
66'
DEFLECTED JUST WIDE! Lovely counter-attacking play from Albania. It's the newest face on the pitch, Zurich's Armando Sadiku, who gets on the end of the move forward, but his left-footed strike from just inside the area is deflected inches wide of the far post.
64'
A. Sadiku enters the game and replaces O. Roshi.
When France do get possession, they remain so stubborn in trying to build through the centre. There is absolutely no width to their play. Ntep and Valbuena offer up plenty of pace on the flanks, but it isn't being utilized and France are simply being outworked in midfield.
62'
Continuous production from left midfield! Doesn't matter who plays there, apparently, as the substitute Rama is the latest to assert his influence on the match. He makes a towering run forward and tries his luck, but a deflection takes the sting out of the shot as the chance comes to nothing.
60'
Two more changes now from France as Paul-Georges Ntep and Mathieu Valbuena are introduced. Perhaps they can provide more pace to this attack, with Griezmann and Lacazette giving way.
59'
M. Valbuena enters the game and replaces M. Gonalons.
P. Ntep enters the game and replaces A. Griezmann.
58'
This is truly a shocking performance from the French side. They can't even win the ball back at the moment, let along generate a scoring chance. It has been incredibly uninspiring from them throughout and something has to change - what is Deschamps to do?
56'
V. Rama enters the game and replaces E. Lenjani.
There is a wonderful applause, and deservedly so, as Ermir Lenjani is withdrawn from the match after a wonderful performance. On in his stead is 1860 Munich midfielder Valdet Rama.
54'
This seems to be a common theme throughout. Every time I'm left praising someone's effort or skill, it always seems to be an Albanian player. There is no doubt the hosts just seem to want it more. Where is the urgency from France?
52'
Great effort from Lenjani! The winger again takes on Jallet, one v one and he comes out ahead, changing pace and turning the right-back around inside the area. His final shot is a letdown, however, as it rolls a few feet wide of the near post.
50'
Tremendous work from Cikalleshi, who tracks back in defence to provide some excellent cover before winning possession and charging forward on his own. He holds the ball up and refuses to give it away, winning a free kick and allowing his team to get forward now into attack.
48'
It has been a dire start to the second half as possession exchanges hands on several occasions. There has been no real flow or tempo to the match thus far, surprisingly, which has made for some difficult viewing.
46'
P. Pogba enters the game and replaces D. Payet.
N. Fekir enters the game and replaces O. Giroud.
Back underway in Elbasan! Wholesale may have been an exaggeration - there are two French changes. Paul Pogba and Nabil Fekir are introduced in attack, at the expence of Giroud and Payet, who have been incredibly underwhelming after 45 minutes.
45'
S. Çikalleshi gets yellow.
Cikalleshi is shown a yellow card for a cynical challenge as the board goes up to indicate two minutes of stoppage time.
43'
E. Kaçe has scored a goal for Albania!
ALBANIA TAKE THE LEAD WITH A STUNNING FREE KICK! It's the 21-year-old PAOK man Ergys Kace who stands over it and takes the smallest run up before lifting a sensational curling effort into the top corner, giving Lloris no chance!
42'
Play has yet to resume with Giroud and Lenjani both requiring attention from the medical staff following their altercation atop the area.
40'
Chaos atop the area! Giroud comes back in defence to try and help his side, but makes a mess of it. He nudges Kace off the ball before getting a leg out to intervene as Lenjani tries to shoot, taking him out in the process. Both are fouls and now Albania have a free kick they could do something with.
38'
Griezmann holds the ball up atop the area and tries to make it all happen himself. He sees his shot blocked and Albania look to break with pace on the counter, but a ball played over the top for Roshi is blown dead as the flag goes up for offside.
36'
France seem to have escaped without any permanent damage done. They are back dictating the tempo again working the ball around patiently in attack. A serious lack of creativity has plagued them going forward, however, and Deschamps can be none too happy.
34'
Careless from Jallet as he gives the ball away to Lenjani on the flank. The winger has been a reak nuisance in attack, but his end product is again lacking as a cross in for Roshi runs far and out for a throw.
32'
France have shown very little since the opening 10 minutes. It has been largely comfortable for Albania, who are actually taking the game to the hosts. They have had three glorious chances to take the lead, but somehow it remains scoreless.
30'
E. Kaçe gets yellow.
BRILLIANT SAVE! Just seconds after the restart, the substitute Memeshaj plays a tremendous ball through for Lenjani who is clean in behind the defence. The winger opens up and tries to sneak a shot in at the near post, but Lloris gets down to stick an arm out and make the save!
28'
The players gather around their collective touchlines as we reach the designated water break for the first half. It is a very hot day indeed, so the players have been afforded a two-minute stoppage to go over, grab a drink and cool off.
26'
SHOCKING MISS! That absolutely had to be the opener for Albania. Roshi does brilliantly on the right to get around Evra and whip a cross along the face of goal. Lenjani arrives in the centre to meet it but he somehow hooks an effort over the bar! How has he managed that?
24'
STAT ATTACK: These two teams met in friendly action in Rennes in November of last year. Albania took a lead with them into the break but it was Antoine Griezmann's goal that earned France a share of the spoils.
22'
WONDERFUL CHANCE! Much better this from the hosts as they enjoy a good period of pressure in attack. Basha does well on the left to elude his marker and whip in a cross, but it sails just over the head of Cikalleshi and Lloris is waiting on his line to make the catch. All it needed was a touch and that was the opener!
20'
Good goalkeeping from Lloris! Albania have enjoyed their longest spell in possession over the last few minutes and it nearly pays off for them. Hysaj plays a lovely ball over the top for Cikalleshi to chase, but the Tottenham keeper gets off his line quickly to collect atop the area.
18'
L. Memushaj enters the game and replaces A. Lila.
That is the end of the night for Lila, the second most experienced member of this Albanian team after captain Lorik Cana. He is unable to continue and will be replaced now by Pescara's Ledian Memushaj.
16'
Play finally resumes following the lengthy stoppage and Albania again concede possession in their own end, inviting French pressure. The hosts are also short a man as Lila remains off the pitch.
14'
We have an injury break, as the players crowd around to grab some water on this hot day in Elbasan. It comes as a welcome break for the hosts as they can collect themselves in defence.
12'
Evra is very fortunate to escape a yellow card after hacking down Lila on the right wing. The resulting free-kick comes to nothing, but Albania will welcome the respite.
10'
The hosts are struggling to get out of their own half as the pressure from Deschamps' men intensifies. Lacazette tries his luck from the right side of the penalty area with a thunderous half-volley, but the ball flies high over the crossbar.
8'
ALMOST THE OPENER!! France prosper again down the right and a near-post cross is almost converted through a delicate volley from Giroud, who can't quite turn the ball inside the near post.
7'
France start to find their rhythm, popping the ball around encouragingly, although a loose ball from Kondogbia sees a promising move break down. Albania then make a mess of clearing their lines, but a right-wing cross is claimed impressively by the goalkeeper.
5'
There's a good level of intensity in the early exchanges here. This might be an end-of-season friendly, but both sides appear up for the battle.
3'
A long ball over the head of Evra threatens to cause France an early problem, but Roshi is unable to keep the ball in play.
1'
Hosts Albania get us under way on a glorious evening!
Hello and welcome to our live text coverage of France's friendly match against Albania. Didier Deschamps' men will be eager to put in an improved showing today after shipping four goals against Belgium last time out. My name is Chris Devine and I'll be guiding you through all of the action at the Elbasan Arena.
These two sides met in Rennes as recently as last November, with Albania holding their own to claim a 1-1 draw. Today's hosts have also impressed in their qualification matches for Euro 2016 - a tournament France will host. Albania sit third in Group I, two points behind leaders Portugal after claiming two wins and a draw from their first four fixtures.
TEAM NEWS: France coach Deschamps makes seven changes from the team that lost 4-3 to Belgium last weekend. Hugo Lloris, Raphael Varane, Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud are the only men to keep their places. Patrice Evra starts after missing the Belgium game due to his participation in the UEFA Champions League final, while Juventus team-mate Paul Pogba is on the bench.
The sun is shining brightly as kick-off approaches. This looks set to be warm work for the players on show and Albania will be determined to make sure France are not given an easy ride.
Here come the two teams. After the respective national anthems, it will be time for the action to begin! A good number of French fans appear to have made the trip to support their side. Let's see if they will be given reason to cheer.
HALF TIME: ALBANIA 1-0 FRANCE. The hosts have the lead thanks to Kace's spectacular free kick, and it is a deserved one for them as we head into the break. They have carved out a few clear cut scoring chances and are unlucky not to be more than just a goal in front, which is something that can not be said for France, who have struggled to get anything going in attack.
The players are slowly making their way back out onto the pitch now for this second half, albeit belatedly, and it looks like we will have wholesale changes here from France.
FULL TIME: ALBANIA 1-0 FRANCE. Ergys Kace's wonderful free kick is all that separates the two sides, but it's enough to provide Albania with a first-ever international victory over France. Deschamps will have much to figure out after this performance as it's too little, too late for Les Blues who waited far too long to start pressing and are made to pay.
Thank you all for joining me here and I hope you enjoy the rest of your Saturday! Good bye.
Commentary
More…