Caught the match today on TV. It was especially delightful to watch Argentina hand France a defeat right in très Gay Paree, played in front of a record French national team attendance of 79,862. Ha Ha!
El Conejo (The Rabbit) Saviola's Goal - Argentine style
(you'll understand if I don't translate)
Saviola and other highlights in Portuguese
Saviola strike shuts down France
Javier Saviola's first-half strike earned an accomplished Argentina a deserved friendly win over France in Paris.
The Barcelona forward smashed home a close-range finish in the 15th minute for the only goal of a game the South Americans mastered on the whole.
France hardly had a sniff at a packed Stade de France, with Argentina's defence - superbly marshalled by captain Roberto Ayala, making a record 107th appearance for his country - completely dominant.
The visitors' classy but hard-working central midfield of Fernando Gago and Esteban Cambiasso were also mightily impressive, giving Les Bleus' forward line no room to operate. The hosts' only real chance fell to David Trezeguet in the first half, but he was unable to score against the country he grew up in, poking a weak finish straight at Argentina's under-used goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri.
With both sides so comfortable on the ball, it was no surprise that keeping possession was paramount in the first game between the two countries since 1986. That was especially the case in a first half of decent quality but very few clear-cut chances.
Argentina quickly got used to the intensity of the game, with Gago and Cambiasso controlling the pace in central midfield.
The first half-chance of the game fell to France left-winger Florent Malouda, who snatched at a 20-yard shot with his wrong foot in the 12th minute and dragged the ball wide.
The visitors were ahead three minutes later thanks to the sprightly Saviola.
His back-flick sent Javier Zanetti clear down the right, and the Internazionale utility man's cut-back found Hernan Crespo.
The striker's shot was saved by Gregory Coupet, but the ball spilled out to the onrushing Saviola, who slammed home into an empty net from eight yards out.
The rest of the half saw France push on, but Argentina were comfortable at the back, Ayala and the magnificent Gabriel Milito excelling in central defence.
The hosts' only other real opportunity before the break fell to Trezeguet in the 41st minute, but after running onto a neat flick from Franck Ribery, the Juventus striker could only stab a weak shot straight at Abbondanzieri.
France coach Raymond Domenech brought on Lyon duo Vincent Clerc, who earned his first cap, and Sidney Govou for the second half.
But the game followed the same pattern as before the break, the Argentinian defence coping superbly with everything in front of them.
With left-back Gabriel Heinze dominating his battle with Ribery on France's right-wing, there was precious little service for Thierry Henry and Trezeguet.
At the other end, Coupet was called into action in the 56th minute, palming away a stinging Crespo shot from outside the area.
Real Madrid's Gago - making his debut for Argentina - continued to shine in the middle, and by the 65th minute, catcalls and whistles were heard from the home crowd as Les Bleus struggled to get the ball off the visitors.
The 71st-minute introduction of Nicolas Anelka for the anonymous Trezeguet brought more pace to the attack of France, who piled forward in the final quarter of an hour. However, apart from a snap-shot from Ribery, Abbondanzieri was left untroubled, mainly thanks to the superb work of Ayala and Milito.
Javier Saviola's first-half strike earned an accomplished Argentina a deserved friendly win over France in Paris.
The Barcelona forward smashed home a close-range finish in the 15th minute for the only goal of a game the South Americans mastered on the whole.
France hardly had a sniff at a packed Stade de France, with Argentina's defence - superbly marshalled by captain Roberto Ayala, making a record 107th appearance for his country - completely dominant.
The visitors' classy but hard-working central midfield of Fernando Gago and Esteban Cambiasso were also mightily impressive, giving Les Bleus' forward line no room to operate. The hosts' only real chance fell to David Trezeguet in the first half, but he was unable to score against the country he grew up in, poking a weak finish straight at Argentina's under-used goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri.
With both sides so comfortable on the ball, it was no surprise that keeping possession was paramount in the first game between the two countries since 1986. That was especially the case in a first half of decent quality but very few clear-cut chances.
Argentina quickly got used to the intensity of the game, with Gago and Cambiasso controlling the pace in central midfield.
The first half-chance of the game fell to France left-winger Florent Malouda, who snatched at a 20-yard shot with his wrong foot in the 12th minute and dragged the ball wide.
The visitors were ahead three minutes later thanks to the sprightly Saviola.
His back-flick sent Javier Zanetti clear down the right, and the Internazionale utility man's cut-back found Hernan Crespo.
The striker's shot was saved by Gregory Coupet, but the ball spilled out to the onrushing Saviola, who slammed home into an empty net from eight yards out.
The rest of the half saw France push on, but Argentina were comfortable at the back, Ayala and the magnificent Gabriel Milito excelling in central defence.
The hosts' only other real opportunity before the break fell to Trezeguet in the 41st minute, but after running onto a neat flick from Franck Ribery, the Juventus striker could only stab a weak shot straight at Abbondanzieri.
France coach Raymond Domenech brought on Lyon duo Vincent Clerc, who earned his first cap, and Sidney Govou for the second half.
But the game followed the same pattern as before the break, the Argentinian defence coping superbly with everything in front of them.
With left-back Gabriel Heinze dominating his battle with Ribery on France's right-wing, there was precious little service for Thierry Henry and Trezeguet.
At the other end, Coupet was called into action in the 56th minute, palming away a stinging Crespo shot from outside the area.
Real Madrid's Gago - making his debut for Argentina - continued to shine in the middle, and by the 65th minute, catcalls and whistles were heard from the home crowd as Les Bleus struggled to get the ball off the visitors.
The 71st-minute introduction of Nicolas Anelka for the anonymous Trezeguet brought more pace to the attack of France, who piled forward in the final quarter of an hour. However, apart from a snap-shot from Ribery, Abbondanzieri was left untroubled, mainly thanks to the superb work of Ayala and Milito.
El Conejo (The Rabbit) Saviola's Goal - Argentine style
(you'll understand if I don't translate)
Saviola and other highlights in Portuguese
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