Nasri penalty earns France Euro 2012 berth
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China Daily / Agencies, October 12, 2011
Samir Nasri's second-half penalty sent a nervy France into the Euro 2012 finals after a 1-1 home draw against Bosnia who had to settle for a playoff place following their Group D decider on Tuesday.
France began the final qualifier a point ahead of the Bosnians and needing at least a draw to qualify automatically for next year's finals in Poland and Ukraine.
The hosts trailed to Edin Dzeko's strike five minutes before halftime and needed a 78th minute spot kick to secure a draw at the Stade de France.
Nasri was tripped by Emir Spahic just inside the box and the midfielder clinically scored from the spot.
France finished on 21 points with Bosnia, on 20, heading for the playoffs where they hope to secure a place in a major tournament as an independent nation for the first time.
Bosnia played some nice, quick passing football throughout but France, below par in the first half, increased the pressure after the break and were eventually rewarded.
France keeper Hugo Lloris dived to his right to palm away Senad Lulic's attempt in the fifth minute but Loic Remy wasted a great chance for the hosts when he raced clear on goal, but a poor touch allowed Keeper Kenan Hasagic to smother.
Dzeko then burst into the box after being set up by a Zvjezdan Misimovic flick, but was denied by the ever cool Lloris.
In the 24th minute, Miralem Pjanic raced down the right and found the unmarked Dzeko on the left, but the Manchester City striker fired wide despite looking set for a deserved opener.
Bosnia, however, were rewarded five minutes from the interval as Dzejo unleashed an exquisite curling shot inside the far post from the edge of the area.
Les Bleus stepped up a gear after the break but proved too clumsy to unsettle the Bosnia defence.
Nasri came close in the 72nd minute but his powerful free kick was deflected onto the bar by substitute keeper Asmir Begovic.
Begovic, however, was powerless when Nasri wrongfooted him from the penalty spot after Spahic's careless foul.
France, who are unbeaten in their last 15 games, created a string of chances in the closing stages but failed to convert.
