Henry’s late double rescues flawed French

Switzerland 1 France 3

Henry scored twice in the closing 15 minutes to disguise the many problems faced by the Euro 2004 favourites, who have failed in their three group matches to justify their lofty reputation.

Switzerland gave France more difficulties than they could have anticipated and, until such time as Henry shook the lethargy from his tired limbs to give full rein to his athletic ability, the issue was very much in doubt.

Switzerland gave France a one-goal lead through the generosity of their eccentric goalkeeper and then rebounded with such drive and initiative as to deserve their quick equalising goal.

The goal was claimed by the latest ’boy wonder’ on the international scene, Eindhoven’s Johann Vonlanthen, who wrenched the distinction of being the youngest player to score in the Euro finals from Wayne Rooney in the process.

Volanthen, aged 18 years, three months and 18 days, finished a smashing Swiss attack with the cool finish of a veteran as he capitalised upon the shrewd pass of Cabanas to squeeze a right-foot shot past goalkeeper Barthez from the edge of the penalty area.

The goal came in the 26th minute and owed much to the clever Hakan Yakin, who stepped over a low cross from Gygax to let Cabanas run on to the ball. His instant transfer to the alert Vonlanthen was decisive and the finish of the youngster was impeccable.

France struggled, the lack of a winger with pace was a huge limitation on the potential of their work. They employed Zidane wide right with Robert Pires working the left flank but both inevitably turned infield and the Swiss defence in front of their own penalty area was firm and defiant.

They were outgunned for long periods in central midfield, despite the prominence of Patrick Vieira. Claude Makelele was not a major influence, his pre-occupation with trying to negative Hakan Yakin meant he was often struggling to get into the game.

The more flambuoyant of the Yakin brothers was swift and effective as he worked between the central pair of Cabanas and Vogel and the spearhead, Vonlanthen. Strong on the ball, he gave Makelele an uncomfortable game until forced to withdraw because of injury after an hour.

All the while France sought to release Lizarazu on the left and processed their attacks through the hard-working Zidane. As superstars go, this man is exceptional, for I have yet to see him shirk the most demanding of workloads.

But France provoked relative little response up front, for David Trezeguet was again a major disappointment.

The suspicion that he is still trading on the credit of his climactic goal in the Euro final of four years ago has never been supported more than in this disappointing contest.

Henry was little better for much of the game but he rescued the French performance and enhanced his own reputation with two beautiful goals late in the game.

France’s only return before then was the 20th minute opening goal which Zidane headed into the net after Jorg Stiel had come for and totally missed a corner from Pires.

Stiel seemed more occupied with firing verbal insults at Henry, whose free-kick he had just flicked over the bar, than preparing for the corner and he paid a big penalty. He was caught flapping at Pires’ cross as Zidane, the bottle-carrier and the master, rose to head home.

Finally, some French style.

In the 76th minute substitute Saha flicked on a free from Zidane and Henry caught the ball on his right in-step before drilling it in with his left foot.

Eight minutes later Thuram found Henry wide left and he turned away from Henchoz and stepped wide of the attempted tackle of Murat Yakin to add a sheen to a French performance that scarcely deserved such a high polish.

FRANCE (4-4-2): Barthez; Sagnol (Gallas 46), Thuram, Silvestre, Lizarazu; Vieira, Makalele, Pires, Zidane, Trezeguet (Saha 75), Henry.

SWITZERLAND (4-4-2): Stiel; Henchoz (Rama 85), M. Yakin, Muller, Spycher; Gygax (Magnin 85), Cabanas, Vogel, Wicky; H. Yakin (Huggel 60), Vonlanthen.

Referee: L. Michel (Svk).