How did the game go then? The Czechs needed a win to realistically have any chance of qualifying for the quarterfinals after their last minute defeat at the hands of the Netherlands. So, France astutely sent out a team with three defensive midfielders in Deschamps, Petit and Viera in a bid to choke the Czechs' technically superior midfield.

The East Europeans (that's the Czech Republic, geography dodos!) did themselves no favors when Petr Gabriel sent a slipshod back-pass to his keeper in the 7th minute. Thierry Henry gratefully intercepted the careless ball and sprinted clear onto goal to toe-poke a shot under the body of the onrushing Pavel Srnicek to send the World Champions ahead (that's France, football dodos!).

Zinedine Zidane had another inspired outing in the playmaking role for France, and the former World Footballer of the Year enthralled the crowd with a series of defence-splitting passes and tricky footwork. One such geometrically defying pass carved open the Czechs' defence in the 18th minute to send Henry through on goal again, but this time the rejuvenated striker could not capitalize on a glorious opportunity to double France's lead.

The Czech Republic stepped up a gear soon after conceding that soft goal with Pavel Nedved, Poborsky and Jan Koller behind some of their best moves. Then Emmanuel Petit uncharacteristically gave the ball away in his own half and Tomas Rosicky fed a pass into the path of the galloping Nedved, who surged dangerously into France's box. Deschamps fell the Czech player with a clumsy challenge from behind and referee Graham Poll had no qualms about awarding a penalty. Poborsky stepped up to audaciously chip the ball over Barthez to pull the scores level in the 35th minute.

The Czechs' showed that they were no respecters of reputations, putting France on the rack just as they did to the Netherlands in their opening match. Jan Koller was unlucky to be denied by the crossbar with a towering header, and together with their misses against the Netherlands, it seemed apparent that luck was not shining on the plucky Czechs in this tournament.

France re-invented themselves in the second half, with creative lynchpin Youri Djorkoeff coming on for Petit. The substitution proved to be an inspired one when Henry sent over a cross from the left on the hour mark, and Djorkoeff finished the move with aplomb to restore France's lead. The World Champions had to suffer another scare or two before the final whistle, but they'll go confidently into the quarterfinal draw knowing that they're an improved team from the World Cup winners two years ago.

Match Rating: **** A classic Zizou tutorial