France were defeated by Belarus in Laurent Blanc's first match incharge of the national team. Blanc welcomed back nine players from Les Bleus' disastrous World Cup campaign after he had suspended them for a friendly in Norway last month.

But they could do nothing to prevent Belarus sub Sergei Kislyak from netting the winner with four minutes left.

His goal came from the visitors' only clear-cut chance in the Euro 2012 qualifier at Stade de France.

Les Bleus skipper Florent Malouda said: "I want to thank the fans who came here to support us. It is a pity to start this campaign with a defeat."

Hopes were high that France had closed the door on their dismal World Cup flop - when they were knocked out in the group stages after a players' revolt - and would be starting afresh under new boss Blanc.

And they took control early on, with Marseille striker Loic Remy's header going just wide after 17 minutes.

Chelsea star Malouda then had a 63rd-minute effort ruled out for offside before Mathieu Valbuena's superb dipping volley was tipped over by Yury Zhevnov.

But it was not enough as Kislyak collected Vyacheslav Hleb's pass in the box before firing past Lyon keeper Hugo Lloris.