Debutant Benzema gives France win over Austria

PARIS, Mar 29 (Reuters) Teenage striker Karim Benzema celebrated his international debut with a goal to give France a 1-0 win over Austria in a friendly at the Stade de France.

Olympique Lyon forward Benzema struck from the edge of the box on 53 minutes from a free kick by midfielder Samir Nasri, also winning his first cap yesterday.

Benzema and Olympique Marseille's Nasri, both 19, were two of several youngsters selected by France coach Raymond Domenech for the occasion, four days after a 1-0 win in Lithuania in a Euro 2008 qualifier.

Domenech's largely experimental side offered an entertaining display against Austria, Euro 2008's co-hosts with Switzerland, who have not beaten France since a 1-0 win in 1970.

Austria, who looked brave but limited on a mild evening on the outskirts of Paris, threatened after 10 minutes with an angled effort from captain Andreas Ivanschitz which France goalkeeper Gregory Coupet managed to deflect.

France created their first real chance four minutes later with a header from a corner by defender Julien Escude that midfielder Thomas Prager cleared on the line with his chest.

The home side grew in confidence and Nasri, orchestrating play with calm authority, then showed off his skills with an acrobatic volley that went just wide.

Domenech sent on Benzema for the second half and he needed just eight minutes to score his first goal for France to roars of approval from the crowd.

France, who take a break until Euro 2008 qualifiers against Ukraine and Georgia in early June, stayed on top after that and came close to doubling their advantage through forward Nicolas Anelka and Nasri.

Austria no longer belong to the world's elite and yesterday's result is not of major significance but France's performance did suggest that the former world and European champions have a gifted new generation to rely on in the years to come.

REUTERS PDS BST0427