Despite dominating from the start, the European champions had to wait until the 45th minute for Wiltord to open the scoring with a fine volley from just inside the box.

Wiltord made it 2-0 when he slotted home from close-range a cross by defender William Gallas and the Arsenal player then set up striker Louis Saha for the third goal.

Forward Steve Marlet completed the scoring with 16 minutes remaining.

France, held to successive goalless draws by the Netherlands and Brazil, were keen to record a convincing victory to lift morale two weeks before starting the defence of their European title in Portugal.

"It was important to win tonight to keep the squad in an upbeat mood," coach Jacques Santini told a news conference. "We needed to resume our winning string."

France are now unbeaten in 17 matches and face Ukraine in Paris next week in their last match before Euro 2004.

"We didn't doubt what this side was capable of," Santini said. "But we needed to bounce back.

"I want to pay tribute to all the players who showed great discipline tonight. They played in a very collective manner and with a great state of mind."

Santini was happy with the physical condition of players like Wiltord, Saha, Marcel Desailly, Marlet and Willy Sagnol who had not played much for their clubs recently.

"My goal was to have them on the field as much as possible," Santini said. "It's part of the programme we have set up to have everyone ready for the England match on June 13."

France moved up a gear after the interval and looked in a class of their own.

Santini confirmed that Monaco midfielder Ludovic Giuly has pulled out of the Euro 2004 squad with a groin injury and has been replaced by Olympique Lyon's Sidney Govou.

"Giuly, who is one of the best players in the French league, deserved to complete the season taking part in the European Championship with us," Santini said.

"We are very sad for him. But his healing would take too long."

Giuly sustained a groin injury in Wednesday's Champions League defeat by Porto.