Brilliant France back on track
Six weeks after they were beaten at home by the Czech Republic in a friendly, France showed with their 6-0 demolition of Malta they are determined to secure their place in the Euro 2004 finals as soon as possible.
Six weeks after they were beaten at home by the Czech Republic in a friendly, France showed with their 6-0 demolition of Malta they are determined to secure their place in the Euro 2004 finals as soon as possible.
Saturday's sparkling performance earned the holders their fourth win to leave them away and clear in Group One with 12 points. Israel, who France play in Palermo on Wednesday, and Cyprus, both have four points.
"It was a nice game. We have been patient and played well collectively," defender Bixente Lizarazu said in sports daily L'Equipe on Sunday.
"Beyond the result, I am satisfied with the way we played against a side that packed their defence," added coach Jacques Santini.
After 37 keyed-up minutes that featured a host of missed chances, the reigning European champions broke through with a powerful Sylvain Wiltord shot.
But it was his Arsenal team mate Thierry Henry who was France's inspiration, scoring two and setting up another to lift the fans at Lens's Stade Felix-Bollaert.
"I want to thank the fans," said Santini, whose team were booed off at the Stade de France after their 2-0 defeat by the Czechs.
"We are pleased to have played there," said captain Zinedine Zidane, who also scored twice, once from the penalty spot.
Of course, the game against Israel on Wednesday will be another story, but "Les Bleus" showed an enthusiasm which contrasted with the way they have sometimes played against modest teams.
The activity of Lizarazu on his left side typifed the new attitude. The Bayern Munich fullback was a permanent menace to the Malta's defence as he earned a penalty and almost scored a rare goal.
"I ran a lot and almost scored," he said. "Had I found the net it would have been a miracle."
The French defence, ragged during last year's World Cup debacle, has not been threatened enough to be judged in the current qualifying campaign, but the midfield was almost perfect on Saturday with youngster Benoit Pedretti and Real Madrid's Claude Makelele controlling the game alongside the in-form Zidane.
Wiltord showed lots of good touches while striker David Trezeguet got himself into scoring positions on countless occasions, managing to convert just one of his many chances after 70 minutes.
And then there was Henry, the star of the match and looking more impressive with every passing appearance.
France's qualifying chances were helped by being placed in an easy group but while some other leading nations are making hard work of getting past their "minor" opponents, France are flicking them aside.
By the end of Wednesday night they should have 15 points in the bag with qualification almost assured with months to spare.