France 1 Morocco 0, January 20th 1999

France eased past Morocco with a lucky second half goal but did enough to convince in their first outing of the new year.

This low key match in Marseilles was decided in the 47th minute when a mazy run by substitute Robert Pires threw the Moroccan defence off balance and his cross was parried into the path of Youri Djorkaeff by goalkeeper Driss Benzekri and the Inter man had an easy finish.

Morocco's best chance to draw level came near the end when a Said Ciba freekick reached Chippo at the far post but he could not stretch enough to turn the ball back on goal and the ball ran away from him.

European Player of the Year Zinedine Zidane played from the start of the match but his poor Juventus form continued and the French failed to convince as an attacking force until the second half. Morocco had started as the more adventurous side but did not seem fit enough to sustain the action when they got near the champions goal. When they came forward at the start of the game Boghossian and Zidane both missed chances to convert through balls with Zidane slicing his chance well wide.