Franck Ribery: France owe victory to Patrice Evra's half-time speech

Franck Ribery (L) says Patrice Evra’s (R) speech inspired France to victory over Belarus (Getty Images)

Trailing 1-0 at half-time against Belarus, France came from behind for a 4-2 win in the FIFA 2014 World Cup qualifier. A Franck Ribery double and goals from Samir Nasri and Paul Pogba saw Didier Deschamps’ men turn the match.

Ribery has revealed that it was a half-time speech from left-back Patrice Evra, who was an unused substitute, that inspired France to victory on Tuesday.

“It was a victory for everyone,” Ribery, 30, said. “It was for us and it was for the fans.

“The match was a little weird, especially after the first half. But then Pat [Evra] gave a real speech at half-time and that was good for everyone.”

France are top of the table, level on points with Spain but the Spaniards have a game in hand over Les Bleus.

It looks as though Evra has reinstated his stature in the squad after he was frozen out for nine months following the in-fighting which tarnished France’s World Cup campaign in South Africa in 2010 under Raymond Domenech.