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France have qualified for the World Cup as winners of Group 4 after their 4-0 win over Cyprus, while Switzerland must settle for a play-off spot.
First-half goals from Zinedine Zidane, Sylvain Wiltord and Vikash Dhorasoo, and a second-half strike from Ludovic Giuly, handed Les Bleus a comfortable win over the Cypriots in front of a packed Stade de France on Wednesday.
However, there were no celebrations until confirmation came through that Switzerland had been held to a goalless draw by the Republic of Ireland. Had the Swiss sneaked a goal at Lansdowne Road – as they almost did through Alexander Frei – France would have finished second in the section.
France began the evening knowing they needed to win by five clear goals if the Swiss registered a single-goal victory, and they duly set about trying to do as much damage as possible.
Djibril Cissé spearheaded a three-man frontline, flanked by Sidney Govou and Wiltord, while Patrick Vieira, Dhorasoo and Zidane patrolled the midfield.
After his lifeless display in Switzerland four days ago, Zidane was in electric form at the start. The Real Madrid star tested the Cyprus goalkeeper in the second minute with an audacious volley from fully 40 yards that bounced up awkwardly and had to be tipped over by Michael Morphis.
Moments later Zidane set off on a mazy run down the left and delivered a teasing cross that was fired fractionally over his own crossbar by Alexandros Garpozis.
To the delight of the fans, and almost certainly of Domenech too, Cyprus had not come to Paris merely to defend, and they frequently poured men forward in search of a shock opening goal. Cyprus’ first shot in anger came from Asimakis Krassas, who fired over from outside the area.
But just when it looked as though France were losing their way, they took the lead thanks to a moment of class from Zidane. Willy Sagnol’s swerving cross was missed by Constantinos Charalambides at the far post, and Zidane, after bringing the ball down beautifully on his chest, stroked it under Morphis with his left foot.
Zidane’s goal opened the floodgates and the game was over as a contest before half-time. The Cyprus defence was sleeping as Cissé slipped Wiltord clean through and the Lyon ace chipped the ball easily over the onrushing Morphis.
The visitors felt the goal was offside. It wasn’t and Cyprus were soon in disarray at the back again. After committing far too many players forward, Cissé was allowed to run through from inside his own half totally unopposed.
But the Liverpool striker, who had already wasted two gilt-edged opportunities, struck a horrible shot straight at the ‘keeper.
France looked like they may get the five goals they were hoping for when Dhorasoo opened his international account with a clever goal. Wiltord slid the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder into space on the left side of the penalty area, and he lifted the ball over the keeper. It bounced in off the far post.
France did not find it so easy to create openings in the second period until the introduction of Giuly just before the hour mark injected some much-needed pace and freshness.
Sidney Govou was denied by a splendid reflex save from Morphis on 71 minutes before the Cypriot custodian, enjoying a fruitful evening, produced two more reaction stops from Cissé, who was not having such a happy time.
France eventually capped the victory with a fourth goal seven minutes before the end. After a good, simple move involving Alou Diarra and Cissé, Zidane delivered a low, pinpoint cross which was steered in from close range by Giuly.
As France breathes a collective sigh of relief this evening, Domenech and his players can begin preparations for Germany 2006. They would be advised to start sooner rather than later, as plenty of work needs to be done.
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