Paul Pogba was the hero for France as they edged European rivals Holland 1-0 in World Cup qualifying.

The Manchester United midfielder scored the only goal of the encounter at the Amsterdam Arena as Didier Deschamps' side remained top of the Group A qualifying table.

Pogba unleashed a dipping 30-yard volley on the half-hour mark to give Les Bleus a vital away win while inflicting a first World Cup qualifying defeat on the Dutch since 2001.

West Ham United playmaker Dimitri Payet was running the show for France throughout and had a hand in the Pogba goal when he received the ball from Arsenal's Laurent Koscielny after he had cut off a Dutch attack, before squaring for Pogba to fire beyond Maarten Stekelenburg from range.

Payet had his own attempt from range but was unable to beat Everton's Stekelenburg prior to France enjoying a little bit of luck when Payet's poor back-pass was pounced on by Tottenham striker Vincent Janssen only to see his effort blocked by the arm of Koscielny.

Pogba had a taste for it after and was close to creating France's second but Kevin Gameiro could not finish the job before the Manchester United midfielder headed Payet's corner directly at Oranje keeper Stekelenburg.

Pogba's Red Devils colleague Memphis Depay then went close for the Dutch but Spurs gloveman and France skipper Hugo Lloris was at this best to deny the winger.

The result has France sitting on seven points from three matches, equal with Sweden, while Danny Blind's Netherlands side sit three points behind the top two.