In turn, the current European champions managed to unlock the Balkans' goal in the 23rd minute of the game. Once again Zidane created a miracle from a free kick, sending the ball into the far corner of the goal. True, along the way the leather ball bypassed the wall and the cluster of players and, ricocheting off a defender, only then flew into the net - 1:0. A minute later, from the same position, Zidane's free-kick shot went just past the post.
After the goal was scored, the French somewhat reduced the pace in attack, although the Croats failed to take advantage of this. Two minutes before the end of the first half, the French played a combination that would undoubtedly embellish more than one commercial. Henry took a corner unsuccessfully, and the ball reached Zidane, who elegantly backheeled it to the far post, where Gallas from a advantageous position failed to hit the goal with a header.
The start of the second half significantly cooled the bald heads of the French team, heated by the Portuguese sun. In the 47th minute, Silvestre fouls Rosso in the penalty area, and the referee points to the 11-meter mark. The referee's verdict was executed by Rapaić, who powerfully struck into the left corner of Barthez's goal.
Such a turn of events had a positive effect on the Croats' game, and they began to appear in France's penalty area with greater frequency. And already 5 minutes after Rapaić's goal, Pršo rammed through the French defense. Having received a pass from the left flank, Pršo lobbed over Silvestre, forced Desailly to make a mistake, who missed the ball, and the Croat, striking the "projectile" well, shot with a strike through the center of the goal into Barthez's domain - 2:1.
However, the Croats could not hold the winning score for long. In the 65th minute, an episode occurred in which Tudor made a mistake, carelessly passing the ball back to the goalkeeper, and Trezeguet demonstrated what is needed to play out an episode to the end even if you score with the help of your hand.
Two minutes after the conceded goal, the debut at the Euro of Dynamo Kyiv player Jerko Leko took place, who replaced Bjelica. However, the only thing Leko is remembered for is that he received a yellow card, stopping a dangerous French counterattack.
And if France hoped that their opponents in this match would be completely satisfied with a draw, then it was a mistake that almost became fatal. In the 80th minute, Barthez failed to communicate with Thuram, releasing the ball from his hands, and Pršo almost took advantage of this mistake. In response, the French replied with long-range shots from Pirès and Henry, which Butina turned into corner kicks with stunning saves.
The most realistic chance to snatch victory, however, was had by the Croats. In the 3rd added minute of the match, the Moscow army man Olić gave a wonderful pass to Mornar, who from a few meters sent the ball over the goal, forgiving Zidane and company...
As for the further prospects in this group, there is no doubt that all four teams will do everything to "scratch out" a ticket to the quarterfinals in the last round, especially since teams like Croatia and Switzerland have nothing particularly to lose, and what could be a better irritant than France and England?
Group B
Croatia - France - 2:2 Goals: Rapaić 47 - from a penalty, Pršo 52, Tudor 22 - own goal, Trezeguet 65 Croatia: Butina, Šimunić, Šimić, Tudor, Rapaić (Mornar 87), R. Kovač, N. Kovač, Bjelica (Leko 67), Rosso, Pršo, Šokota (Olić 72) France: Barthez, Gallas (Sagnol 80), Desailly, Silvestre, Thuram, Vieira, Dacourt (Pedretti 78), Zidane, Henry, Trezeguet, Wiltord (Pirès 69).
Tournament standings 1. France - 4 2. England - 3 3. Croatia - 2 4. Switzerland - 1.