France should only be celebrating after a 3-1 win against Georgia in a World Cup qualifier on Friday, combined with Spain's 1-1 draw against Finland, but Karim Benzema's scoring drought is a reason for concern.
.
The Real Madrid striker has not found the net in his last 11 games for Les Bleus and while three of the offensive quartet - Mathieu Valbuena, Olivier Giroud and Franck Ribery - scored goals, Benzema once again proved too clumsy.
.
He was even booed by the Stade de France crowd, who are not known for their patience and understanding.
.
"Strikers need confidence, and they do not need to be booed by the crowd," midfielder Blaise Matuidi told reporters.
.
Benzema has been repeating that he is serene, yet the last of his 15 France goals from 56 caps came in June when he scored the third in a 4-0 friendly win against Estonia in Le Mans.
.
"He had chances. I would have been worried if he had not had them," coach Didier Deschamps told reporters after Benzema missed several clear chances against Georgia on a bumpy Stade de France pitch.
.
"He would like to be more decisive. I've left him on the field until the end because he had not played 90 minutes for a long time. But I would have preferred that he scores this goal."
.
France, however, are top of Group I with 10 points from four games and lead Spain by two points after the world and European champions, who visit the Stade de France on Tuesday, only managed a draw against Finland in Gijon.
.
Benzema's teammates said they are not concerned by the 25-year-old's failings.
.
"I'm not worried about Karim, we must give him a bit more time," Ribery told reporters.
.
"He is a great player with a lot of qualities, unfortunately he has not scored (against Georgia) but I hope it will change on Tuesday.
.
"I also went through difficult periods, but he works hard."
.
Benzema has scored 15 goals from 35 appearances in all competitions with Real this season - compared to 31 from 50 games last season.
.
Deschamps paired him with Giroud on Friday in an attempt to pressure the Georgia defence, but also because he felt that Benzema needed a hand.
.
"With Karim, we try to find each other but it's still perfectible," Giroud told reporters.
.
Benzema's place in the starting line up for Tuesday's clash with Spain is now at risk as Deschamps will probably revert to a more secure formation with a lone striker.
Benzema is a wonderful player but it seems he only shows how good he is in Real Madrid. He needs to improve for France