Samir Nasri s late penalty clinched France s Euro 2012 qualification, with a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina sending them through.
The result at the Stade de France in Paris condemned Safet Susic s Bosnia and Herzegovina to Group D s playoff spot in the process, despite the away side leading for much of Tuesday s match.
Edin Dzeko showed excellent technique and vision to find the top corner in the 40th minute for Bosnia and Herzegovina, with France finding it difficult to break down their opponents resolute defence.
But Nasri s coolly taken penalty with 12 minutes to go gave France the point they needed to finish top of their group.
Laurent Blanc s side end the qualifying campaign as winners of Group D a point ahead of Bosnia and Herzegovina, who will now play a two-legged tie as they look to reach their first major tournament in the nation s history.
The away nation made the brighter start to the game and came close to opening the scoring on 24 minutes.
Zvjezdan Misimovic slid a through ball into the path of Manchester City striker Dzeko, who could only blast it over the crossbar from 12 yards out.
Bosnia continued to look the better team and got their just rewards in the 40th minute when Dzeko atoned for his earlier miss with a superb strike.
Miralem Pjanic found the striker from a free kick on the edge of the box, with Dzeko turning brilliantly before curling the ball into the top corner and leaving Hugo Lloris in the France goal with no chance.
Despite their poor performance in the opening 45 minutes, France almost equalised within two minutes of the re-start.
Florent Malouda found himself in space on the left of the area before drilling an inviting ball along the six-yard line, which was somehow missed by Loic Remy.
On 71 minutes, France came close to drawing level from a set-piece, yet Bosnia and Herzegovina goalkeeper Asmir Begovic made a stunning stop to tip the ball onto the crossbar.
Nasri lined up the free-kick 25 yards from goal yet was denied by the Stoke City keeper s acrobatic save, with Boris Pandza mopping up the danger.
However, it was to be heartbreak for the visiting nation when Samir Nasri was fouled in the box by Emir Spahic.
The playmaker stepped up take the spot-kick himself, calmly slotting the ball into the bottom corner.
Bosnia will now be placed into Thursday s playoff draw, with the first leg to be played on November 11 or 12 and the second on November 15.
France, on the other hand, can begin their preparations for next year s European Championships, which will be held in Poland and Ukraine.
