MATCH 12 REPORT : CROATIA RATTLE HOLDERS FRANCE

Three changes each
Croatia made three changes from the side held to a goalless draw by Switzerland in their opening game; Tudor, Rapaic and Giovani Rosso coming into the side. France, meanwhile, introduced Marcel Desailly, Sylvain Wiltord and Olivier Dacourt following Sunday's incredible last-gasp success against England.

Henry threat
Thierry Henry was a livewire prospect in the opening stages as France dominated possession and looked for the breakthrough, and the Arsenal FC striker shot wide with the game's first chance on six minutes.

French momentum
Zinedine Zidane then saw a free-kick blocked by the Croatian wall and Wiltord blasted wide as Les Bleus kept up their forward momentum. It took Croatia 15 minutes to get a sight of the French goal, but Tomislav Šokota's weak shot posed no problem for goalkeeper Fabien Barthez.

Unfortunate Tudor
A period of Croatian promise followed as the Balkan side settled down somewhat after a nervy start, but France grabbed the all-important lead after 22 minutes. Zidane curled in a left-wing free-kick and the ball deflected in off Tudor for an unfortunate own goal which give the French a deserved lead.

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