Substitutions :
46th min : Djorkaeff > Dugarry
63th min : Pires > Henry
Match Report
Belgium lost their match against France in the 2nd half-time.
Because before half-time, the Belgian team, which showed good combinations, was even better than France.
The chances only came just before half-time :
headers of Wilmots and Oliveira and a shot on goal of Clement were not enough to get past Barthez.
France tried to get forward with long balls to their attackers.
But they didn't get any pace into their play.
That was certainly the reason why the Belgian 4-man defense was never in danger.
But when France started to play quicker in the second half-time,
the Belgian defense had to give away some chances.
Keeper De Wilde could save most of the French opportunities,
but had no chance when Zidane shot the ball into the goal.
France tried to hold on to that score
and Belgium didn't succeed in scoring the equalizer with some attacks late in the match :
Staelens headed the ball backwards over the goal, and a shot of Wilmots was saved.
For France the result of this match was very important, and they could clinch the victory.
Leekens had again said that the result of a friendly match is never important,
so he will be quite happy with the performance of a belgian team which might be the starting team on the World Cup.
Image 1 : Staelens tries to stop Djorkaeff.
Image 2 : Oliveira in a duel with Zidane.
Belgium lost their match against France in the 2nd half-time.
Because before half-time, the Belgian team, which showed good combinations, was even better than France.
The chances only came just before half-time :
headers of Wilmots and Oliveira and a shot on goal of Clement were not enough to get past Barthez.
France tried to get forward with long balls to their attackers.
But they didn't get any pace into their play.
That was certainly the reason why the Belgian 4-man defense was never in danger.
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