Switzerland 1-3 France

Monday 21 June 2004
7.45 - Coimbra

Holders France assured themselves of a quarter-final match-up with Greece after a hard-earned win over gallant Switzerland in Coimbra ensured they finished top of Group B by a point from England.

Henry double
Switzerland were in with a chance of a last-eight berth themselves after Johan Vonlanthen had cancelled out Zinedine Zidane's strike inside the first half hour, but two late Thierry Henry goals finally subdued the battling underdogs to knock them out of the competition.

Vonlanthen drafted in
Swiss coach Jakob Kuhn sprung a surprise before the game, relegating veteran striker Stéphane Chapuisat to the bench. With the other main striker Alexander Frei suspended following a spitting incident in the defeat against England, Kuhn fielded promising teenager Vonlanthen up front, with another forward, Daniel Gygax, also making his first tournament start as Kuhn rang the changes.

Four French changes
French coach Jacques Santini made four changes to his own starting eleven following the draw against Croatia, with Bixente Lizarazu, Robert Pires, Willy Sagnol and Claude Makelele coming into the side. France dominated the early possession, but Switzerland broke out from the pressure to create the first dangerous moment, Hakan Yakin prodding an effort wide from a Gygax cross.

Zidane strikes
The dogged Swiss kept up their momentum, and French goalkeeper Fabien Barthez tipped over a curling Hakan Yakin free-kick before Jörg Stiel went down to save a low Lizarazu drive at the other end. But it was France who broke the deadlock on 20 minutes. Robert Pires swung over a right-wing corner, and Zidane climbed above Stiel to nod the ball in.

Vonlanthen breaks record
Buoyed by the goal, France enjoyed a spell of pressure, Henry heading over when well placed, but Switzerland battled back again, and equalised with their first goal of the tournament after 26 minutes. Vonlanthen - aged 18 years and 141 days - became the youngest scorer in finals of a UEFA European Championship, breaking the record set by England striker Wayne Rooney, ironically against Switzerland only last Thursday, when he broke into the area and shot low past Barthez.

Swiss battle
A fascinating game flowed from end to end, with Switzerland matching the holders punch for punch, and the half ended with Kuhn's men having given a fine account of themselves to hold France's star-studded team, although Henry headed just wide near the whistle.

Fast pace
Hakan Yakin had been booked for tugging back Pires just before the break, and Henry was cautioned for a dive in the penalty area just after the restart as the second half began in similar hectic vein. Santini made a half-time substitution, bringing on William Gallas for Sagnol in a bid to fire his stuttering team, but Switzerland continued to knock the holders out of their stride.

Swiss press
Switzerland, fighting for every ball, continued to confound the odds, and a Raphael Wicky cross caused panic in the French box, Murat Yakin climbing to nod a Hakan Yakin free-kick just wide. France were finding it hard to create any opportunities, but finally replied with a Pires volley easily held by Stiel.

Henry strikes
It was still anybody's match as a pulsating game entered the closing stages, the Swiss countering France's attempts to dominate with fierce endeavour. But France nosed in front with 14 minutes to go, moments after Louis Saha had replaced David Trezeguet.

Greece up next
Henry finally found space to latch onto a through ball and prod home past Stiel to settle French nerves, then, with six minutes to play, he added his second and France's third to make sure of quarter-final with Greece on Friday.

Switzerland Goals: Vonlanthen 26

France Goals: Zidane 20, Henry 76, 84

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