France 1 Germany 0

An excellent first half goal from the inspirational Zinedine Zidane settled this Paris friendly in favour of France.

The Juventus star emphaisised the difference between these two teams and France look able to get involved in another tournament already.

This game showed all the confidence and awareness of an experienced club team and although Germany produced a creditable and hard-working performance, the touch of quality from some of the French play was very impressive.

This was certainly the case when Willy Sagnol drove in a high cross on the run from the right hand side in the 26th minute and Zidane controlled the bal with his thigh as he ran into the penalty area at an angle before taking two touches past Christian Woerns and thrashing the ball high into the net.

In the 9th minute Nicolas Anelka had been put clear on the right by Sylvain Wiltord and the PSG striker carried the ball to the edge of area before cutting inside but he failed to find the target with his shot.

Carsten Jancker forced a save from Fabien Barthez with a shot on the run but Germany offered little in attack during the first half.

Rudi Voller's team lacks the star striker and creative midfield presence which will make a place in the 2002 World Cup finals a certainty but Voller has already produced a hard running side who kept going to try and get level in the second half.

This may have been beyond them if Anelka had taken 54th minute chance when Emmanuel Petit put him clear of the defence on the left wing but he tried to clip the ball across Oliver Kahn with his instep and the German goalkeeper had an easy save to make.

Kahn knew a little less about France's other best chance of the second half.

Four corners in a row from the left hand side eventualy saw a ricochet reach Marcel Desailly in front of goal but his side foot finish bounced off the prone body of Kahn.

Mehmet Scholl almost scored a minute after this when he volleyed at goal with a diving shot in the 75th minute and the effort may have been spectacular but it was too near Barthez who caught the ball where he stood.