1998 World Champions France scraped through to the second round of the World Cup with an unconvincing 2-0 victory over minnows Togo.
The win lines France up for an intriguing encounter with Spain in the next round but leaves Togo with very little to shout about in their first ever World Cup.
Despite their strength in depth it was a battle for France to defeat their African opponents but goals from Henry and Vieira were enough to secure victory and mean that Zinedine Zidane’ last act as a footballer will not be his booking against Korea.
After the disappointing draw with the Asians France made only the one change with Zidane suspended it gave Trezeguet his first chance to start in the competition with the former winners reverting to their tradition 4-4-2 formation.
For Togo, the game was all about pride having lost to Korea and Switzerland in the group stages so far and they made no changes to the team which was beaten by two goals on each of their previous two outings in the 2006 World Cup.
France started the better of the two teams but were frustrated by the Togolese who seemed to be offering great resistance to the attacking force which France posses. Domenech’s men had to work hard for possession and before long they were creating chances.
A brilliant cross from Ribery on the right hand side allowed trezeguet to out leap his man and head towards goal. The Togo keeper however tipped the ball acrobatically over the bar and was able to prevent the first real chance of the game from hitting the net.
France continued to press and on 16 minutes were given another chance by poor Togolese defending. Star striker Thierry Henry however was not able to make the most of the opportunity however was he dragged at his shot and played the ball across goal rather than forcing the keeper into a save.
The goal looked to be coming from France but Vieira and Makelele could do little in a very packed midfield however Henry was able to find enough space between the midfield and attack to begin to become influential and it was he who orchestrated the best chance of the half for his country. Pivoting on the ball just outside the area he took four players out of the game before releasing Ribery who smashed the ball over the bar when one on one with the keeper.
The young winger should have done a lot better especially with just the keeper to beat but the frustration which had dogged France in their two group games previous looked to be continuing.
Four minutes from halftime France pressed again before creating two excellent chances, neither of which could be finished as the Togo keeper clung onto the ball at the second attempt. First a rasping drive from Malouda stung his palms before the ball rebounded to trezeguet who’s weak shot was enough to give the keeper time to pounce on the ball inches before the line.
In the second half it was a similar tale of woe for France who looked to be crashing out of the World Cup yet again. A well worked move from Malouda and Trezeguet set up the Juve striker with another shooting opportunity. His shot this time was blocked away for a corner when it looked to be destined for the bottom corner.
The frustration went on for France as Ribery once more blasted over the ball with a poorly controlled effort. Henry held the defense at bay before back heeling to Malouda whose cut back found Ribery, slight off balance however the 22 year old got under the ball and found the stand instead of the net.
Two minutes later however Togo could hold out no longer as Patrick Vieira scored the first goal of the game. The former Arsenal captain celebrated his birthday in style with a wonderful curling shot into the side of the net from ten yards. Malouda it was who played him through before the ball midfielder swiveled and placed his shot just beyond the reach of Agassa.
With Togo now forced to come and attack if they wanted to stay in the game, gaps begun to appear in their backline and it was their talisman Thierry Henry who made the game safe on 65 minutes with a great piece of control and instinctive finishing.
The goals were enough to secure a victory for France who celebrated a skin of the teeth qualification act to make it to round ahead of Korea.
The win lines France up for an intriguing encounter with Spain in the next round but leaves Togo with very little to shout about in their first ever World Cup.
Despite their strength in depth it was a battle for France to defeat their African opponents but goals from Henry and Vieira were enough to secure victory and mean that Zinedine Zidane’ last act as a footballer will not be his booking against Korea.
After the disappointing draw with the Asians France made only the one change with Zidane suspended it gave Trezeguet his first chance to start in the competition with the former winners reverting to their tradition 4-4-2 formation.
For Togo, the game was all about pride having lost to Korea and Switzerland in the group stages so far and they made no changes to the team which was beaten by two goals on each of their previous two outings in the 2006 World Cup.
France started the better of the two teams but were frustrated by the Togolese who seemed to be offering great resistance to the attacking force which France posses. Domenech’s men had to work hard for possession and before long they were creating chances.
A brilliant cross from Ribery on the right hand side allowed trezeguet to out leap his man and head towards goal. The Togo keeper however tipped the ball acrobatically over the bar and was able to prevent the first real chance of the game from hitting the net.
France continued to press and on 16 minutes were given another chance by poor Togolese defending. Star striker Thierry Henry however was not able to make the most of the opportunity however was he dragged at his shot and played the ball across goal rather than forcing the keeper into a save.
The goal looked to be coming from France but Vieira and Makelele could do little in a very packed midfield however Henry was able to find enough space between the midfield and attack to begin to become influential and it was he who orchestrated the best chance of the half for his country. Pivoting on the ball just outside the area he took four players out of the game before releasing Ribery who smashed the ball over the bar when one on one with the keeper.
The young winger should have done a lot better especially with just the keeper to beat but the frustration which had dogged France in their two group games previous looked to be continuing.
Four minutes from halftime France pressed again before creating two excellent chances, neither of which could be finished as the Togo keeper clung onto the ball at the second attempt. First a rasping drive from Malouda stung his palms before the ball rebounded to trezeguet who’s weak shot was enough to give the keeper time to pounce on the ball inches before the line.
In the second half it was a similar tale of woe for France who looked to be crashing out of the World Cup yet again. A well worked move from Malouda and Trezeguet set up the Juve striker with another shooting opportunity. His shot this time was blocked away for a corner when it looked to be destined for the bottom corner.
The frustration went on for France as Ribery once more blasted over the ball with a poorly controlled effort. Henry held the defense at bay before back heeling to Malouda whose cut back found Ribery, slight off balance however the 22 year old got under the ball and found the stand instead of the net.
Two minutes later however Togo could hold out no longer as Patrick Vieira scored the first goal of the game. The former Arsenal captain celebrated his birthday in style with a wonderful curling shot into the side of the net from ten yards. Malouda it was who played him through before the ball midfielder swiveled and placed his shot just beyond the reach of Agassa.
With Togo now forced to come and attack if they wanted to stay in the game, gaps begun to appear in their backline and it was their talisman Thierry Henry who made the game safe on 65 minutes with a great piece of control and instinctive finishing.
The goals were enough to secure a victory for France who celebrated a skin of the teeth qualification act to make it to round ahead of Korea.