Mamadou Sakho captained France in Paris on Tuesday night as Les Bleus kicked off their FIFA World Cup preparations in style with a commanding 4-0 friendly victory over Norway.

In the absence of Tottenham's Hugo Lloris, Sakho, who made 19 appearances during his first season at Anfield during 2013-14, took up the captain's armband at the Stade de France. 

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba set the home side on their way to victory when he opened the scoring early on in the first half with a powerful header beyond Orjan Nyland.

Arsenal's Olivier Giroud then scored twice - his first a delicate chip - either side of Loic Remy's 67th-minute strike, to seal a comfortable four-goal rout.

France's participation in the forthcoming World Cup was secured in November last year - on a whirlwind Paris night that saw Sakho play a key role on a whirlwind night in Paris.

The Liverpool man scored and claimed another as the French hit three without reply to overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit against Ukraine and progress to Brazil with a 3-2 aggregate win.