Zidane ensures fond farewell

France 1-0 Ukraine

Shovkovskiy saves
Jacques Santini's team dominated but had looked set for a third goalless draw from four matches after goalkeeper Olexandr Shovkovskiy saved two clear chances which fell to Zidane and fellow midfield player Robert Pires. However, the Real Madrid CF star volleyed the winner late on after Thierry Henry knocked down a cross by substitute Willy Sagnol.

Zidane tracked
Zidane, for all his lovely touches, was frustrated for much of the opening 45 minutes by the three defenders tracking his every move. The playmaker only managed to outmanoeuvre Ukraine's solid defence once before the break but his shot from just outside the box was saved by Shovkovskiy in the 18th minute.

Flowing move
Shovkovskiy denied the home side again when he dived to clear a volley from inside the box by Pires 20 minutes from time. The keeper could do nothing, though, when Zidane put the finishing touch to a flowing move with two minutes left to play.

'Tricky moment'
"The tenacity of the team paid off," Santini said. "The two sides had different aims here and we were at a tricky moment in our preparation for the [UEFA] European Championship. It was a very tight game and the players were left very little room to express themselves.

England up next
"At least we are carrying on with good results and this is important. Our preparation is going on as planned and we will be ready in a week." France, who are unbeaten in 18 matches and have not conceded a goal for almost a year, start their EURO 2004™ campaign next Sunday against England in Group B.