Croatia shake France up

Dramatic encounter
The French led at half-time through an own goal by Croatian defender Igor Tudor and were full value for their advantage. But two goals in four minutes straight after the interval - a Milan Rapaic penalty and a superb Dado Pršo volley - reflected a tremendous Croatian fightback before David Trezeguet's strike just after the hour gave France a point.

Three changes each
Croatia made three changes from the side held to a goalless draw by Switzerland in their opening game; Tudor, Rapaic and Giovani Rosso coming into the side. France, meanwhile, introduced Marcel Desailly, Sylvain Wiltord and Olivier Dacourt following Sunday's incredible last-gasp success against England.

Henry threat
Thierry Henry was a livewire prospect in the opening stages as France dominated possession and looked for the breakthrough, and the Arsenal FC striker shot wide with the game's first chance on six minutes.

French momentum
Zinedine Zidane then saw a free-kick blocked by the Croatian wall and Wiltord blasted wide as Les Bleus kept up their forward momentum. It took Croatia 15 minutes to get a sight of the French goal, but Tomislav Šokota's weak shot posed no problem for goalkeeper Fabien Barthez.

Unfortunate Tudor
A period of Croatian promise followed as the Balkan side settled down somewhat after a nervy start, but France grabbed the all-important lead after 22 minutes. Zidane curled in a left-wing free-kick and the ball deflected in off Tudor for an unfortunate own goal which give the French a deserved lead.

Midfield superiority
Zidane then flashed a shot wide from a similar position before Rosso drove over the bar from 20 metres as Croatia sought to respond. Nevertheless, France, and Zidane in particular, were running the show in midfield, and it took two defenders to desperately deny Wiltord in a goalmouth skirmish.

Gallas chance
Patrick Vieira was booked for tripping Niko Kovac after 32 minutes, and Croatia central defender Tudor was cautioned for a clumsy challenge on Vieira as he burst towards goal. William Gallas then headed just wide as the French ran the show up to the interval.

Stunning comeback
The second half began in sensational fashion with two Croatian goals inside the first seven minutes, Otto Baric's team turning the match on its head. Mikaël Silvestre, who had conceded a penalty against England, was adjudged to have tripped Rosso in the 48th minute and Rapaic levelled with an unstoppable spot-kick.

Pršo delight
Croatia suddenly looked an altogether more threatening proposition, and they were unbelievably in front after 52 minutes. Pršo bustled his way into the area and punished some flimsy French challenging by hammering a fierce left-foot drive past Barthez.

France reeling
France, so comfortable in the first half, had been rocked back on their heels and Dacourt was booked for fouling Rapaic near the hour. Rosso then went into the book for protesting to referee Kim Milton Nielsen as tempers frayed.

Trezeguet on target
As the French tried to raise their game Croatian goalkeeper Tomislav Butina got down smartly to save from Henry. But France hauled themselves level on 64 minutes as a Tudor back-pass fell short, Butina's attempted clearance rebounded off the onrushing Trezeguet, and the Juventus FC striker rolled the ball into the empty net with an angled finish.

Solid defending
A pulsating second half ebbed and flowed, and France began to take control again as the final stages approached, but Croatia defended stoutly and looked to pounce on the counterattack. Butina was forced into diving stops from substitute Robert Pires and Henry in the closing stages but it was Croatia who came closest to taking maximum points, replacement Ivica Mornar shooting agonisingly over from close range in added time.

France Goals: Tudor (og) 22, Trezeguet 64

©uefa.com 1998-2004. All rights reserved