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France Vs Albania Kick Off Was Delayed After Wrong National Anthem Was Played

France Vs Albania Kick Off Was Delayed After Wrong National Anthem Was Played

The Andorran national anthem was played and then the stadium announcer apologised, but to Armenia. Not a great day all round.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

France's Euro 2020 qualifier was slightly delayed on Saturday evening after the wrong national anthem was played for Albania and then the stadium announcer couldn't even apologise to the right team.

The World Cup winners faced Albania on Saturday night and whoever was in charge of the music at the stadium got things terribly wrong, despite the two sides facing each other just three years ago at the Euros in France.

There was confusion on Albanian faces as the Stade de France's PA system played the Andorran national anthem, when the stadium announcer tried to apologise he said sorry to Armenia instead.

The first incident, playing the wrong song, might have been the simple mistake of pressing the wrong button as France actually play Andorra in the same stadium on Tuesday night.

However that doesn't excuse the problem of calling them by the wrong name afterwards, fortunately when the match did start it wasn't as disastrous for the French.

Didier Deschamps side had no Kylian Mbappe, with the PSG forward out injured, but they still started with an attacking unit including Antoine Griezmann, Thomas Lemar, Kingsley Coman and Olivier Giroud.

Coman scored after just eight minutes before Giroud added a second before the half hour mark. The world champions then had to wait until the second half to extend their lead.

Bayern winger Coman scored a second in the 68th minute before substitute Jonathan Ikoné scored on his debut with 5 minutes to go to make it 4-0.

Albania did get on the scoreline with Sokol Cikalleshi scoring a consolation from the penalty spot in injury time.

Giroud celebrates his goal. Image: PA Images
Giroud celebrates his goal. Image: PA Images

The win keeps France top of Group H in the qualifiers, level on points with both Turkey and Iceland after five games, having lost in Turkey on matchday three.

Next up is Andorra on Tuesday followed by the return fixtures against their two closest group rivals in October and games against Moldova and Albania in November to round off, don't be surprised if they hear God Save the Queen before their final qualifier.

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Football News, Euro 2020, Kingsley Coman, International Football, Olivier Giroud, France

Ryan is a writer for SPORTbible. He covers all sport from football, formula one, cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics, mma and wrestling. He obviously hates YOUR football team and has no interest in synchronised swimming.

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@Sidler28