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France's World Cup hopes continue to hang by a thread after they drew 1-1 in Israel following the sending off of their goalscorer David Trezeguet.
Les Bleus turned in arguably their best performance since the appointment of Raymond Domenech last summer and seemed in complete control before the dismissal of Trezeguet for a head-butt on Ben Haim on 56 minutes.
Six minutes earlier, the Juventus hitman had given the visitors a deserved lead when he headed home a Sylvain Wiltord cross, but France were unable to resist a formidable onslaught from Israel in the last half an hour. Les Bleus eventually conceded for the first time in their World Cup qualifying campaign with seven minutes to go, as Fabien Barthez could only deviate cross onto the head of Walid Badir who powered home from six metres.
Domenech had switched to a 4-3-3 formation, with Thierry Henry - once again not fit to start - left on the bench. Florent Malouda and Wiltord flanked centre-forward Trezeguet, while Alou Diarra made his first start in a midfield three alongside Patrick Vieira and Benoit Pedretti.
Away from the Stade de France, where they continue to struggle in front of their demanding supporters, France began by playing assured passing football. Vieira looked his imposing self again, while Diarra showed no signs of nerves and Wiltord posed a threat with his direct running every time he got the ball.
Malouda had the first shot on goal after nine minutes, but he hooked the ball wide of the near post from the right side of the box. The Lyon winger was involved again on the half-hour, picking Trezeguet out in the box. The striker did well to find space between three Israeli defenders but his snap-shot flashed just wide of Dudu Aouate’s upright.
The chance sparked a spell of sustained pressure for Les Bleus - and Trezeguet was unlucky not to break the deadlock seven minutes before break.
Good pressing from Willy Sagnol on the right provoked a mistake in the home defence and the Bayern Munich defender delivered a low cross for Trezeguet, whose crisp first-time shot was brilliantly saved by Aouate at full stretch.
France were eventually rewarded five minutes into the second half.
Wiltord, who was enjoying an outstanding match, raced onto Sagnol’s probing pass on the right wing and crossed perfectly for Trezeguet to head home past the stranded Israel ‘keeper.
The game seemed to be there for the taking for France, but that all changed when Trezeguet reacted foolishly to a severe challenge from Ben Haim.
The 27-year-old picked himself up and proceeded to push his head into Ben Haim’s face. The Bolton midfielder rolled theatrically on the turf and Israel’s players surrounded referee Markus Merk, demanding that a red card be shown. Merk duly obliged and Trezeguet is now likely to be suspended for three of France’s four remaining fixtures.
Israel’s outlook changed immediately and they were soon pressing forward relentlessly on the France goal. Yossi Benayoun jinked inside Pedretti before shooting wide of the near post on 65 minutes before Malouda had a header saved by Aouate at the other end.
Malouda also saw a miscued cross bounce out off the crossbar, but these were rare moments of relief for Domenech’s team who defended in numbers and at times with desperation.
The home fans thought their side were level when Yanic Katan rounded Barthez, then cut the ball back for Klimi Saban, but his powerful strike was brilliantly turned round the post by the Marseille ‘keeper.
Israel’s pressure eventually paid off, however, when Badir struck a killer blow by heading in seven minutes from time. The goal leaves France fearing for their World Cup lives once more ahead of dangerous trips to Ireland and Switzerland.
France and Israel are now on their own at the top of Group 4 with 10 points. However, the Republic of Ireland and Switzerland are both just one point back and both have a game in hand.
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