Russia 2 France 3, October 10th 1998

The world champions proved they still have an appetite for success with a gutsy 3-2 win in Russia achieved against an improving Russian side that showed plenty of skill.

France walked throught the wreckage of a Brazil team to win the World Cup last July but Iceland had held them to a draw and taken the lead against them in their first Euro 2000 qualifier last month.

The new champions looked headed for a massive win as early as the 29th minute when Robert Pires hit in their second goal of the night after neat approach play from Zinedine Zidane. Nicolas Anelka had fired low under Kharin in the Russian goal to give France the lead on 13 minutes.

Then Russia regrouped rahter than collpased. As against the Ukraine they showed plenty of skill to draw themselves back into the game with long periods of possession. They lacked the final finish until Igor Yanovsky got the decisive touch in a packed penalty area to give the home side some hope just seconds before the break.

Encouraged Russia attacked and Alexander Mostovoi, the pick of their players on the night fired a low shot into the net a deserved equaliser.

France to their credit did not settle for the point and subsitute Alan Boghossian got on the end of a cross with eight minutes of this entertaining game to go.