April 19th 2005 |
Saint-Denis, Stade de France
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CHILE - FRANCE |
1-1 (0-1)
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GOALS 9' 0-1 Just Fontaine
49' 1-1 Jorge Aravena
REFEREE Pierluigi Collina (Italy)
ATTENDANCE 75,000
YELLOW CARDS Quintano (CHI) - Fernandez (FRA)
CHILE (Coach: Fernando Riera, system 4-3-3)
1 Roberto Rojas
3 Lizardo Garrido
15 Alberto Quintano
5 Elias Figueroa
4 Javier Margas
6 Raul Sanchez (-70)
10 Jorge Aravena
18 Miguel Angel Neira (-63)
8 Marcelo Salas (-79)
9 Ivan Zamorano
11 Leonel Sanchez (captain)
Substitutes:
13 Guillermo Subiabre (+63)
7 Alberto Fouilloux (+70)
19 Carlos Caszely (+79)
FRANCE (Coach: Aimé Jacquet, system 4-4-2)
1 Alexis Thepot
2 Manuel Amoros
8 Marcel Desailly (captain)
21 Robert Jonquet
3 Bixente Lizarazu
13 Alain Giresse
4 Luis Fernandez (-82)
11 Raymond Kopa
19 Roger Piantoni (-57)
17 Jean-Pierre Papin (-64)
9 Just Fontaine
Substitutes:
20 Zinedine Zidane (+57)
12 Thierry Henry (+64)
7 Didier Deschamps (+82)
MATCHREPORT
Just like he had done many times before, Aimé Jacquet put his biggest stars
to rest when the game ahead didn't matter anymore. Okay, the people in the
Stade de France, their home soil, might have wanted Platini and Zidane but
they were on the bench in favour of Giresse and Piantoni. Kopa kept his
place and because Just Fontaine this time was preferred to Henry and
Cantona, the famous 1958 combination that gave the French so many pleasant
moments, was revived. From the usual first choice only Marcel Desailly was
in the team, and he wore the captain's armband. Despite having the greatest
guns on the bench, the French were still strong. Chile could benefit
partially from the situation but were never close to the win they needed so
badly. And when it became clear that Belgium were on the winning hand
against Ireland, it didn´t matter anyway. The match ended 1-1.
Kopa immediately took control of the game and it resulted in a goal right
away. He got the ball from Lizarazu and had seen the opening before. He
released a quick pass that went between Figueroa and Garrido, Fontaine was
gone and away and rounded Rojas before finishing from a short distance: 1-0
for France. It was the start of the best French period in the match. Again
Chilean goalkeeper Rojas was the outstanding performer in his team and he
kept Piantoni from scoring only a minute after conceding the 1-0. Then he
saved a bomb from Giresse and later in the first half he did the same with
efforts from Jonquet and Fontaine. Chile were lucky being just one goal down
after 30 minutes. What was left was the hope.
The disappointing Chileans had no opportunities in the first half. The coach
had reshuffled his team and tried with Raul Sanchez and Neira to bring a
little bit more power up front, but it was in vain. All fingers pointed in
the direction of the Zasa Duo, Zamorano and Salas, but they were put on the
chain by Desailly and Lizarazu. Luis Fernandez, playing instead of
Deschamps, kept an eye on Aravena. The only time Chile went close in that
first half was when, after nearly 40 minutes, goalkeeper Alexis Thepot
misjudged a cross from Leonel Sanchez. Zamorano however was too surprised to
take advantage.
To surprise of everyone, Chile equalized shortly after the break. It came
when Aravena tried from 25 metres out, it seemed to be a stoppable shot but
Thepot proved that France had little depth in their squad on the
goalkeeper's position. It went under his body in the net: 1-1. Not deserved
but it gave Chile a lifeline. All French spectators rose when Zinedine
Zidane started his warming-up and after 57 minutes he replaced Piantoni.
Zidane immediately tried to set up attacks, he wanted to give the visitors
what they had come to the Stade de France for. What France lacked however,
Chile had: a sound goalkeeper. Rojas won a 1-on-1 with Papin and when Amoros
headed a cross from Zidane onto the upper corner, Rojas again got a hand to
it. Thierry Henry, substitute for Papin, struck the post.
Chile needed a few goals to have a chance anyway. The inclusion of Subiabre
showed some ambition but the French defence simply wouldn't give up chances
and were never in danger. In the end both teams agreed with the draw.
Referee Collina, who had a yellow card in store for both Quintano and
Fernandez, kept a tight reign over the match. Fernandez left the field
immediately after being cautioned and that showed the intention of France:
don't risk injuries or suspensions. Chile had been no push-over for any of
the three other teams in this group but had never been able to impress in
attack. Salas, Zamorano and Leonel Sanchez remained pale and when the market
closed Chile went home. France ended up as winners of the group and
travelled to Buenos Aires for an encounter with the runners up of group H,
the Brazil-group.
Next Friday we will have the last two games in group H. Brazil are still not
100% sure of the next round despite convincing throughout their first two
matches. They play Northern Ireland in Yokohama. Needless to say that the
Irish, on three points after beating Cameroon, need a win. Brazil will most
likely play with a lot of the second choice players, but with guns like Jairzinho,
Zico and Romario in your team you would still be among the favourites. Even
Cameroon, though they have a disastreous goal difference, can still reach
the secound round. If they beat Portugal they will finish on three points,
just like the Portuguese and most likely Northern Ireland. Just the goal
difference would be decisive then. Cameroon are without suspended Geremi but
are in a good mood and will try what they can. Portugal are convinced they
will reach the second round, did well so far and coach Gloria isn't expected
to change much. Northern Ireland-Brazil will have Gottfried Dienst as
referee. In Montevideo, where Portugal and Cameroon meet, John Langenus is
in charge.
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