The Barcelona star started the match level with Platini on 41 goals, but netted twice in the final 12 minutes to go clear in the national-team scoring charts.

More importantly for Les Bleus, Henry's goals mean Raymond Domenech's men go top of their group and know a win against Ukraine in their final game will send them to next summer's finals.

The French peppered Zydrunas Karcemarskas' goal in the first half - but somehow failed to break the deadlock.

With just 55 seconds on the clock, Franck Ribery was the first to strike the woodwork with a 25-yard effort that was tipped onto the bar by Karcemarskas.

Karim Benzema had a shot deflected just wide before Florent Malouda picked up the ball just inside the area and crashed a wonderful effort against the bar.

In the 18th minute, the woodwork was hit for the third time in the game - but this time it was from a Lithuanian player.

Audrius Ksanavicius somehow turned inside Eric Abidal and Jeremy Toulalan, and sent a superb left-footed curler against the post.

That was the eastern Europeans' only chance of the half, and in the 20 minutes before the break, William Gallas, Malouda, Henry and Benzema all squandered glorious opportunities for the hosts.

Henry fired over in the first minute of second half, and found the midriff of Karcemarskas with an effort minutes later.

Ribery, probably France's best player here, drove a 20-yard shot just wide on the hour mark while Henry was denied by the inspired Karcemarskas soon after.

The pressure was relentless and substitute Hatem Ben Arfa was next to miss the target, poking a volley wide.

It looked like Les Bleus were going to be denied but with 12 minutes left, Henry got the goal he deserved.

Ben Arfa's cross from the left was deflected into the path of the Barcelona striker, who found the net from eight yards.

And Henry made the game safe two minutes later when he ran onto Jeremy Toulalan's through-ball and calmly sidefooted his finish past Karcemarskas.