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| January 4th 2005 |
Rome, Stadio Nazionale
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| FRANCE - BELGIUM |
2-1 (0-1)
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GOALS 39' 0-1 Raymond Braine
51' 1-1 Michel Platini
72' 2-1 Eric Cantona
REFEREE Rudi Glöckner (East Germany)
ATTENDANCE 38,000
YELLOW CARDS Verbiest (BEL)
FRANCE (Coach: Aime Jacquet, system 4-4-2)
16 Fabien Barthez
15 Lilian Thuram
8 Marcel Desailly
5 Laurent Blanc
6 Maxime Bossis (-70)
14 Jean Tigana (-65)
10 Michel Platini
7 Didier Deschamps (captain)
20 Zinedine Zidane
18 Eric Cantona
9 Just Fontaine (-46)
Substitutes:
12 Thierry Henry (+46)
4 Luis Fernandez (+65)
3 Bixente Lizarazu (+70)
BELGIUM (Coach: Guy Thijs, system 4-3-3)
1 Christian Piot
2 Eric Gerets
3 Armand Swartenbroeks (captain)
4 Laurent Verbiest
19 Jean Thissen
8 Wilfried Van Moer (-82)
11 Jan Ceulemans
7 René Vandereycken
14 Raymond Braine
9 Jef Mermans
13 Paul Van Himst (-58)
Substitutes:
6 Frank Vercauteren (+58)
10 Rik Coppens (+82)
MATCHREPORT
In the old national stadium in Rome two eternal rivals, France and Belgium,
met in the first match in group F. France started as big favourites but
looking at the Belgian line-up made everyone clear that this wasn't a team
that would be beaten easily. Belgium would certainly be a match for France,
and that was exactly what happened. This turned out to be the best match so
far in the tournament, in a great atmosphere with 38,000 spectators
producing enough noise for 100,000.
Belgium-coach Guy Thijs, a great tactician, decided to have Zinedine Zidane
marked in the zone by rightback Eric Gerets. But the French maestro was
everywhere on the pitch and in the end mifielders Van Moer and Vandereycken
were those to come across Zidane. It was the famous Belgian zonal defense,
but Zidane wasn't to be restrained. He was the big ochestrator of most of
France's attacks, supported by Platini of course and by the perpetual motion
Tigana. Belgium came under pressure, but goalkeeper Christian Piot was in
great form and kept his team in the race. He tipped a brilliant curveball
from Zidane with a magnificent dive over the bar, held on after a
dangerously bouncing shot by Thuram and was up to his task again after a
Fontaine header.
Belgium on their turn in this very alternating first half, had to rely on the
class of Raymond Braine, who more than once was far too quick and skilful
for Maxime Bossis. Three times he ran past the leftback and sent his cross
into the box, but Jef Mermans was marked closely and successfully by Desailly
and Blanc positioned himself very well to prevent the crosses from reaching
their destination. The only real dangerous moment came after a somewhat weak
backpass from Desailly, but Barthez came quickly way off his line to clear it
before Mermans could take advantage.
It was a tense combat, though the players would hardly go over the line.
Vandereycken floored Tigana, but referee Rudi Glöckner kept his yellow card
in the pocket, just like he seemed to close his eyes when Van Moer tackled
Platini a bit too enthusiasticly. Laurent Verbiest, the Belgian sweeper,
however did not escape punishment when he almost drew Zidane's shirt from
his body. Verbiest, unlike he did so often in his career, gave up protesting
heavily against his caution and even did not belittle Glöckner. It was maybe the
best proof that the East German referee had things well under control.
After 39 minutes the first goal in this match was scored, and it was
surprisingly enough Belgium that scored it. What was not surprising was,
that it was Braine who did the damage. He once more relegated Bossis and
entered the box. Instead of crossing, he decided to do it all by himself
this time. He blasted the ball high and hard inside the near post, Barthez
had no single change: 0-1. France reacted immediately with a barrage of
attacks, but it was Piot again who held them off. He punched a thundershot by
Platini away and a new header from Fontaine went just near the post, the
wrong side this time. At half-time Thijs' men were in front.
Aimé Jacquet wasn't satisfied with how things were developing, he thought his
strikers were too tame and substituted Fontaine with Thierry Henry. France
increased the pace of the game and that paid off rapidly. Didier Deschamps
shot at goal, the ball glanced off the white wall of Belgian defenders, just
before Platini's feet, 10 metres in front of the goal. Platini wouldn't miss
too many chances from 10 metres out, neither this time. That levelled the
score at 1-1. In the Belgian team coach Guy Thijs took disappointing Paul
Van Himst off and brought left midfielder Frank Vercauteren into the game,
hoping to restore the balance in midfield. But Belgium could not regain
control over this match. France were the better team now, replaced the
tiring Tigana with Luis Fernandez and Lizarazu came in place of Bossis.
In the 71st minute the match got its decision. And it was France that
scored the goal. Platini sent Cantona away, with captain Armand
Swartenbroeks behind him. The Frechman skilfully turned away from his marker
and sent the ball over Piot into the net. Piot had left his goalline just a
bit too early, it seemed; his only mistake in this match. Nevermind how much Belgium
tried to even it, this match was out of their reach. The famous French
backline from World Cup 1998 stood firm. Desailly was the better of Mermans,
Lizarazu had more grip on Braine than Bossis ever had and Thuram
succesfully marked also substituted Rik Coppens. France were happy with
their win, it was the victory they thought they needed to advance to the
second round. No Frenchman worried about the matches ahead against the
Republic of Ireland and Chile. For Belgium this defeat certainly was a
setback, but they would get new chances. And though they had lost against
France, everyone agreed that this team would have a fair chance against both
Chile and Ireland.
Next week top favourites Brazil open their run to the title at home, in the
huge Maracana Stadium, against the only African participant, Cameroon. A
match of great prospect. The whole world is waiting for Pelé playing
alongside Ronaldo. Will coach Mario Zagalo decide to bring Jairzinho or
Garrincha, and will he gamble on Rivelino and Gerson together with Didi in
one midfield? Cameroon are the underdogs, more than they have ever been.
Will they be just cannonfodder, or can Milla and his friends cause an
enormous upset like Cameroon did in 1990 against then World champions
Argentina? Come back here next Friday and you will read everything. And what
reading is concerned, Englishman John Reader will be present to keep to two
sides apart when needed.
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