Old master misses a trick

Questions raised
Desailly is at the other end of the road on which Rooney has just taken his first precocious steps. And at 35, the man known as 'The Rock' by the French press has shown a few cracks in the past season. Questions were raised whether he lacked the authority of old and an elbow aimed at an AS Monaco FC player, Fernando Morientes, in a UEFA Champions League game prompted booing from his own supporters during France's warm-up matches. Moreover, a knee injury interrupted his preparations for UEFA EURO 2004™.

Captain returns
After missing France's opening win against England, however, Desailly returned to the starting lineup today. He did so as captain too, underlining the position of respect he maintains in this squad of winners. On this, his 116th appearance, he joined Lilian Thuram - two of the four survivors of France's 2-1 semi-final win over Croatia in the 1998 FIFA World Cup - in central defence and for the first 45 minutes, he looked the force of old.

Imperious touches
Fabien Barthez did not make a save until the 43rd minute and Desailly showed some imperious touches. In one cool cameo, as Dado Pršo fed Tomo Šokota on the edge of the French box, in stepped Desailly to steal the ball and avert the danger. He was there another time, beating Pršo to a searching Milan Rapaic cross to cheers from the France fans behind the goal.

Three changes
At this stage, Croatia looked like they were intent on realising the pre-match words of their coach, Otto Baric, that their priority was Monday's game against England. Baric had threatened to rest players and there were three changes to his team, including the return from suspension of Igor Tudor, whose own goal gave France the lead. For long stretches it seemed Croatia's best chance was to get hold of the huge checkerboard flag their fans unfurled before kick-off and wrap it around their goal.

Pršo pounces
It was a different story after the interval, however, and after Rapaic's penalty had restored parity, Desailly's slip let in Pršo to put Croatia in front. It was a moment to forget for the Chelsea FC player. Pršo sidestepped Mikaël Silvestre in the box but Desailly looked sure to clear. Instead, he missed his kick and Pršo was there in a flash to swipe the ball past Barthez.

Mornar miss
Even after France had drawn level, Croatia continued to threaten and Desailly's heart must have been in his mouth in the dying seconds when Ivica Mornar's turn left him on his backside but the Croatian substitute blazed his shot over.

Meandering rise
One man who definitely enjoyed it out there was Carlsberg Man of the Match Pršo, who led the line adeptly, linking the play and troubling Desailly and company with his movement. Like Rooney, this is his first major finals but at 29, his route to the top has been more meandering than meteoric. He was struggling to make it at AS Monaco FC while David Trezeguet and Thierry Henry were leaving the principality for bigger things. He only earned recognition in his homeland after his seven goals for Monaco in last season's Champions League but they, like the rest of Europe, know all about him now.