Deschamps says "the main thing is victory" after France's display

had a significant start in the opening 45 minutes in Sarajevo, but the 2018 world champions finally guaranteed all three points thanks to Antoine Griezmann for his goal in the 60th minute. 

"Our first-half display is below what we are capable of doing,"

announced to M6.

"It was better in the second half. It is not easy. All matches are complicated. There are things that I have seen us do that I haven't seen in a while. The main thing is victory."

It was France's eighth back-to-back away win which carried them four points away from second-placed Ukraine at the summit of Group D. 

"We did more in the second half even if I take the opponent into account as well. I found that the start was quite difficult. I don't want to find excuses for the players. I am very demanding with them, even if the trips and the time differences are difficult. 

"The three matches we will have in September will be against our three direct opponents. Nothing is done but we have put ourselves in the best place with seven points from three games."

Hugo Lloris, who became France's second-most capped player after playing his 123rd match, connected their skill to grind out a result to their robust mentality. 

"It was a bit laborious, especially in the first half,"

the Tottenham goalkeeper said. 

"We struggled with the use of the ball especially. They put us in danger on the counter-attacks and on the set pieces with the quality of [Miralem] Pjanic. But the state of mind is remarkable. Honestly, we played badly today, but we won with the state of mind. 

"It's something you can build on. This is not the first time, but we must continue to move forward, to improve because there are important deadlines in June and July. After Antoine's goal, we managed the result.

"We could have scored a second goal, but we got the win and we are moving forward."

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