The Great Britain and Ireland team celebrate their victory in France

Great Britain and Ireland secured the Vivendi Trophy for the fifth consecutive time with seven singles matches still on the course on Sunday.

Rory McIlroy beat Continental Europe's Henrik Stenson on the final green.

And when fellow Northern Ireland golfer Graeme McDowell followed that with a 3&2 victory over Robert Karlsson, the win was complete.

Continental Europe eventually claimed the singles 6-4 to make the final score 16½-11½ for the third time in a row.

The most impressive performance of the day came from Dane Anders Hansen, who was an incredible 10 under par for the 12 holes it took him to demolish Nick Dougherty - three under himself - by a 7&6 margin that was the biggest in the event's history.

We played some phenomenal golf and it's a very sweet victory Graeme McDowell

England's Chris Wood had the chance to become the first player to win all his five games, and might have done it had he not settled for a half by conceding Swede Peter Hanson a six-footer on the last green of the last game.

But, almost inevitably, 20-year-old McIlroy was again the centre of attention with his four out of five contribution - the same as McDowell.

"That was the match I wanted all week," said the youngster, described as "sensational" by Europe captain Thomas Bjorn, after beating world number five Stenson.

McIlroy, round in a six-under 65, added: "I'd be lying if I said my hands weren't a little shaky over the (five-foot) putt on the last, but it's been a fantastic week and I'll be very disappointed if I don't make the Ryder Cup now."

What a change from May, when he said facing the Americans was not a high priority and even described the match as "an exhibition".

Stenson, who finished with only half a point from five games, came back from two down to one up, fell behind again to a spectacular shot at the 14th and then at all square with two to play, he hooked into the trees and double-bogeyed.

"I think I proved to be a worthy opponent to Rory - he's playing fantastic," said the Swede. "I would expect him to be on the (Ryder Cup) squad next year."

McDowell, out in a six-under 30, said: "We played some phenomenal golf and it's a very sweet victory."

Europe only needed two points from the 10 singles and the target was reduced to 1½ before play started when Anthony Wall withdrew with a shoulder injury.

His withdrawal meant a half with a player of Bjorn's choosing and the Europe captain selected Alvaro Quiros.

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