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Play-Offs For French Stars
Written by Newcastle Utd
Mathieu Debuchy, Yohan Cabaye and Loic Remy were all in action for France on Tuesday night
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor
Newcastle United's French contingent will face a two-legged play-off in their bid to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Les Bleus were 3-0 winners over Finland at the Stade de France, in Paris, on Tuesday night, but they had to settle for the runners-up spot in Group I following Spain's victory against Georgia.
United full-back Mathieu Debuchy started for France and played the full 90 minutes, picking up a booking early in the second half but also providing an assist when his right-wing cross was headed into his own net by Joona Toivio.
Midfielder Yohan Cabaye was a 70th-minute substitute for Blaise Matuidi, moments before Loic Remy also stepped off the bench, replacing Samir Nasri.
Fellow Magpie Moussa Sissoko was an unused substitute.
Elsewhere, goalkeepers Tim Krul and Rob Elliot again watched on from the bench as Holland and Republic of Ireland recorded respective wins against Turkey and Kazakhstan.
In under-21 action, Haris Vuckic played the full match for Slovenia, who triumphed 2-1 over Bulgaria.