France began the game under intense pressure to secure a result after they followed their disastrous World Cup with a 1-0 home defeat against Belarus on Friday to begin their European qualification campaign.

New coach Laurent Blanc looked like he would have to wait longer for his first competitive win as time ticked down before Benzema latched onto a Gael Clichy assist to score a much-anticipated opener after 72 minutes.

Malouda then sealed the victory six minutes later when he stroked home a second.

Real Madrid striker Benzema returned to the France starting line-up after missing the Belarus match with an ankle injury and he quickly set about tormenting the home defence in tandem with Malouda.

The Chelsea winger had a second-minute shot blocked by Emir Spahic before he arrowed a cross into the area that Adil Rami could only head wide from six yards.

Benzema was a busy influence around the penalty area and he almost opening the scoring with 11 minutes played when he fired against a post.

The hosts reminded France of their own threat when Edin Dzeko got his head on a Zvjezdan Misimovic free-kick that Rami blocked.

France were on top, though, and Benzema won a corner when Kenan Hasagic turned his shot over. Philippe Mexes headed the ensuing set-piece wide.

The game remained goalless at the break and, while France again assumed control in the second half, their inability to score was reminiscent of their blank against Belarus.

Les Bleus spurned chance after chance in that match in Paris before they were hit by a late sucker punch and their frustrations were beginning to show as Abou Diaby headed a Malouda free-kick over from close range.

Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris needed to be on guard to block when his Lyon team-mate Miralem Pjanic fired a free-kick on target as the nerves jangled further.

But France's relief was not far away as Benzema, who was one of the players controversially left out of the France squad that finished bottom of their World Cup group in South Africa, netted with 18 minutes left.

Arsenal full-back Clichy fed the ball from the left for the striker to lash home - to his team-mates', and coach's, obvious delight.

After their impatient wait for one goal, a second was only six minutes away. This time it was Malouda who deservedly got his name on the scoresheet as he fired left-footed into the bottom corner from 12 yards.

Benzema might have even added a third in injury time but Hasagic did enough to deflect his shot wide.