Speaking after his side's dramatic win over Albania in Marseille, France coach Didier Deschamps admitted that Antoine Griezmann and Paul Pogba made the difference when they came on.

Both players had been controversially left out of the starting lineup, but were introduced in the second half, as was Andre-Pierre Gignac.

The team looked far more comfortable after those switches and the Atletico Madrid forward provided the breakthrough in the last minute.

"The players who entered the match made the difference," Deschamps told French television channel TF1.

"We did not start flat out and did not have much success, but we went in search of [the win].

"The late goal, which was followed by a second in stoppage time from Dimitri Payet, took Les Bleus up to six points and means that they are guaranteed a spot in the last 16.

Furthermore, the hosts can progress as group winners if they avoid defeat against Switzerland in their final group match in Lille on Sunday.

"The final game remains critical, but it's a very good thing [to have already qualified]," Deschamps said.

"The players showed a lot of heart."