Olivier Giroud converted a late penalty as France staggered to a 2-1 win against a Moldova side ranked 175th in the world on Thursday hours after securing a place at Euro 2020.
World champions France, who lost the Euro 2016 final as hosts to Portugal, were guaranteed a ticket to next year's tournament before kick-off in Paris following a 0-0 draw between Turkey and Iceland.
However their hopes of turning the final home qualifier into an evening of celebration at a chilly Stade de France were compromised when Vadim Rata punished abject defending to give Moldova a shock ninth-minute lead.
Raphael Varane levelled for France 10 minutes before half-time, triggering furious protests from Moldovan players and their coach who argued goalkeeper Alexei Koselev was fouled by Giroud.
The Chelsea forward grabbed the winner from the spot 11 minutes from time after Lucas Digne was cut down in the box to leave France two points clear of Turkey at the top of Group H.
"I could and should have scored before the penalty. We quite simply didn't get off to the start we should have done," Giroud told French television.
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Giroud was handed a start by France coach Didier Deschamps despite playing just 20 minutes at club level since last month's international break.
"Whether he's indispensable or not, he's very useful and efficient," said Deschamps.
"Despite what he doesn't have at Chelsea, he still has it with us."
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