Earvin Ngapeth’s 18 points compensated France’s inconsistency as Les Bleus claimed a 3-1 victory over Iran (25-20, 24-26, 25-20, 25-17) in Friday’s action at the 2018 Nations League.

The Zenit Kazan outside hitter was unstoppable as he scored 18 points to lead the local team in front of the home crowd to make up for the lack of composure of the title holders, fivb.com reported.

Ngapeth took a while to set things in motion and Les Bleus had to rely on a young opposite spiker out of Montpellier UC, Jean Patry, who provided a strong performance with 16 points and one block.

Iran, however, were no pushovers and fought tooth and nails Amir Ghafour claimed 18 points to his name and Seyed Mohammad Mousavi Eraghi managed four blocks.

Winner of last year’s FIVB World League, France headed into the game looking for blood, hoping to avenge their 3-2 defeat at the hands of the Asians in the 2017 Grand Champions Cup. Especially at home, Les Bleus had no intention of letting Iran come back to 3-2 in their head-to-head record in world competitions.

The French showed their determination from the get go as they raced to an early 7-3 lead thanks to Jean Patry. But a terrific iranian defense kept the Asians in the game as the French tripped over themselves (13-11). But a failed cheeky play by Mir Saeid Marouflakrani at the net give the French a decisive advatange as Les Bleus piled on the pressure (18-12). The Europeans, led by claimed the first set thanks to a decisive surge led by Nicolas Le Goff at the business end of the set (25-20).

The home team started strong straight off the bat with a double block that lifted Les Bleus in front (0-2). They remained on top after another power play by Le Goff and another fantastic save from libero Jenia Grebennikov at the end of an impressive rally finished off by Thibault Rossard (11-16). But a last-minute rally from Iran kept their hopes of leveling at 1-1 alive (21-23) as local star Earvin Ngapeth made a mistake and Rossard sent it wide (24-24). A time out called by coach Laurent Tillie didn’t stop the French collapse as two back-to-back blocks capped off a gritty set (26-24).

The third set started as the second finished: with a tense exchange as both teams fought tooth and nails: France took the matter into their own hands with a deft play by Grebennikov (9-7). The Gallic lead increased as Ngapeth turned on the style to put his side ahead (15-10). But Iran are a formidable opponent and they hit back superbly as clawed back into the game (19-18). Coach Tillie had to do something to avoid another come-from-behind defeat and a few changes in his five managed just that: Barthélémy Chinenyeze came on with devastating effect and put France back in control (25-20).

This proved to be a necessary spark for the French who started well thanks to a Julien Lyneel ace (8-4). Les Bleus finally kept composure as Rossard added another point to his tally (15-12). Under pressure, Iran couldn’t mount a comeback and let France run away with their first win (25-17).