France frustrated in Rotterdam

Netherlands 0-0 France
The visitors' first return to Rotterdam since winning the UEFA EURO 2000™ final ended in disappointment as their run of 14 straight victories was halted by a goalless draw with the Netherlands.

Defensive record
A French triumph would have broken the record for the longest consecutive run of international wins. At least coach Jacques Santini can reflect on another encouraging defensive display, with the visitors securing an eighth successive game without conceding a goal.

Creative loss
France were missing Patrick Vieira, Zinedine Zidane and Robert Pires from midfield and the creative loss was apparent as chances were at a premium for the visitors. Netherlands goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar only had one save to make in the entire match.

Nervous start
Visiting goalkeeper Fabien Barthez was a little busier but was helped by Dutch profligacy. His centre-backs Marcel Desailly and Lilian Thuram were slow to settle in the first half-hour, and the home side almost took advantage of that initial uncertainty, coming close to capitalising on the gaps appearing between the pair twice in the first half-hour.

Dutch on top
First Marc Overmars was ruled offside when he thought he was in the clear and then Rafael van der Vaart failed to reach Mark van Bommel's excellent through-ball. Van der Vaart then saw a weak header easily saved, before the visitors were relieved to see an unmarked Phillip Cocu power a header over the crossbar from Van der Vaart's free-kick.

Dacourt influential
France's chances were limited, although they did string together over 30 passes before Olivier Dacourt released Sidney Govou, whose fierce shot from the edge of the area was impressively tipped over the bar by Van der Sar. It was the unlikely figure of Dacourt who was the side's most creative player.

Near things
The in-form AS Roma midfield player slipped a ball into the area for Bixente Lizarazu to run on to but the left-back, with only Van der Sar to beat, dragged a left-footed shot beyond the far post. As the first half drew on, Dacourt forced a late corner which Thuram flicked on though Desailly was centimetres from poking the ball past Van der Sar to open the scoring.

Barthez save
Netherlands started the second half stronger thanks to substitute Wesley Sneijder, who set up Overmars to hit a shot that was blocked by a diving Willy Sagnol. The ball then broke to Roy Makaay, whose back-heel from close range was parried to safety by Barthez.

Dead-ball danger
Barthez was left grasping thin air when Pierre van Hooijdonk replaced Makaay with 20 minutes left to play. The forward's first touch was a 30-metre free-kick that flew just over the crossbar – ten minutes later, he went even closer with another dead-ball effort from 25 metres.

France hold on
Despite the second-half introduction of substitutes Péguy Luyindula and Thierry Henry, France struggled to create any chances and spent the last ten minutes seemingly happy to preserve their unbeaten status rather than chase victory. Indeed, the visitors almost lost the game in bizarre circumstances when Johnny Heitinga's free-kick from inside his own half bounced over Barthez and sailed just wide of the post.