France stars celebrate with World Cup trophy as they play first game on home soil since Russia tournament
Goals from local hero Kylian Mbappe and Olivier Giroud secured Didier Deschamps' men's first Uefa Nations League victory on a night to remember in Paris
DIDIER DESCHAMPS said his French side had to beat Holland tonight to be able to fully immerse in a "beautiful" party in Paris - and that they did.
Goals from local hero Kylian Mbappe and Olivier Giroud blew the roof off the Stade de France as the world champions grabbed their first Uefa Nations League win.
This was France's first game on home soil after their July triumph in Russia, and supporters were promised a "big show" after a post-palace visit party went flat.
French president Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron were in attendance as they soaked up the atmosphere inside the ground.
Alphonse Areola's wife Marion was also seen getting in the party mood before the game.
Ten minutes after the final whistle the floodlights were dimmed as smoke filled the stadium from all four corners of the pitch.
Deschamps led out his coaching staff first, as they formed a guard of honour.
The player-manager bond within the French camp was yet again prevalent at the Stade de France.
Each member of the French squad walked past the trophy and guard of honour one-by-one before embracing the 49-year-old - a World Cup winner as a player and manager.
The enigmatic Paul Pogba was unsurprisingly in good spirits, as he dabbed his way across the field of play, with teenage sensation Mbappe also given an incredible reception.
Yet again N'Golo Kante - the shy member of the squad - was lauded by his team-mates.
The entire stadium joined in with the squad to sing his chant - a poigant moment for the Chelsea midfielder, who looked visibly emotional.
Adil Rami, who decided to call time on his international career in the wake of the squad's success in Russia, also got a rapturous reception.
Tottenham and France captain Hugo Lloris came on to the pitch last, making sure he gave every coach a touch of the coveted trophy, before joining his team-mates in the middle of the field.
As he hoisted it, the squad hit the deck like skittles.
The trophy was then paraded around the stadium, with a singer accompanying the squad around the lap of honour.
It was a night French football deserved - and won't be forgotten in a long time.