France play the best football of any side on the planet

Albania have been taught two harsh lessons about the extra degree of quality you need to succeed at a major football championship.

They've put in two marvellously disciplined, workmanlike defensive performances, and they've got nothing to show for it because they didn't have the attacking ability to match and their opponents have had the killer touch when it matters.

Cruel game at times, football.

You have to feel for the Albanians, they defended magnificently right up until the death.

It was lacklustre from France at times but it's job done and they are the first side through to the Last 16.

France are literally using up all their luck; like Brazil in the last world cup.

We all know what happened to them in the later rounds

Slaven Bilic looks like he is pleased that Payet scored

slaven bilic...

I thought the best part of the match was the French blonde in the crowd.... was she anyone famous, if not she ought to be!

Thought that was a very harsh result on Albania. France had the majority of the pressure but I didn't think they were particularly clinical and they certainly weren't forcing the keeper to make a lot of saves. Not sure why Gignac came on for Giroud. He's basically a discount version of him. They looked vulnerable at the back too. But still, they clawed out their win in the end.

On the performances so far, I think Italy would beat this French side in the same way they beat Belgium.

I think she is payets Mrs tough life

He's great.

The (lucky) bastard...!!!

Billic is an excellent signing as a pundit

Him and Lothar Matthaus are the best pundits

Not so keen on matthaus

He seemed to have two of her though. That's just greedy.

Well he did say Rooney should not play in midfield

And he had one of his best games in that position against Russia the other night

Feel sorry for Albania , they did well.

France deserved that win based on the second half performance .

Probably but they weren't exactly forcing a load of saves out of the keeper or anything. Albania's chances were just as good as theirs until they scored.

Are Albania out now then?

Mathematically no, but realistically yes.

They'd probably need to beat Romania by three or four clear goals to have a chance of being one of the best third place sides.

It was Russia who gave him as much space possible. I could have a decent game v this Russia side. They are abysmal.

It was Rami's cross not Sagna.

True but this France team has better players even if the teamwork is dodgy at times.