France a pale imitation of 1998 vintage
The average number of goals per game in the World Cup prior to this one was approximately 2.5 but Switzerland and France tried their best to reduce this. There were few chances. Switzerland hit the post through Philippe Senderos’s first-half header and also went close when Barthez saved from Frei in the second-half. France looked like this World Cup was a step too far for Zidane, Vieira, Thuram et al. Thierry Henry, so clinical when playing for Arsenal was again poor and the lone sparks were provided by Ribery. The team needs rebuilding and coach Domenech must realise that the time of the golden generation that won the World Cup in 1998 and Euro 2000 is over. Last 16 for Les bleus maximum on this showing and only because they are in a weak group.
