France fall to China defeat

France 0-1 China
Deng Zhuoxiang's second-half free-kick was enough for the 2006 FIFA World Cup runners-up to end their preparations for this year's tournament with defeat.

France have struggled in all three of their warm-up games for South Africa, scraping a 2-1 win against Costa Rica before being held 1-1 by Tunisia on Sunday. They were, though, dominant for large swathes of the game on Friday in Saint-Denis de la Réunion but were ultimately undone by Deng's 68th-minute free-kick.

Raymond Domenech's side had ample efforts on target throughout the opening period but Franck Ribéry and Yoann Gourcuff were both denied when presented with the most notable chances. William Gallas did find the net but was adjudged to be offside, leaving China to pounce with their first real attempt of the match. It was Deng, who had been called to be substituted only to request to stay on to take the set piece, who wrong-footed Hugo Lloris from over 25 metres out.

Thierry Henry twice came close to restoring parity as France pushed for an equaliser but China goalkeeper Zeng Cheng was not to be breached, pulling off further late saves to deny Abou Diaby, Gourcouff and Henry again. France begin their Group A campaign against Uruguay on 11 June before facing Mexico on 17 June and hosts South Africa five days later.