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The French national team still can't win their first victory at the World Cup since 1998 - in the G group match, the team coached by Raymond Domenech failed to maintain the lead obtained in the first half after Thierry Henry's goal against South Korea and after conceding a goal had to settle for a draw, which complicated "Les Bleus" situation before the final round.
Leipzig Zentralstadion, 43,000 spectators Referee - Benito Archundia Tellez (Mexico) France 1 - 1 South Korea 9' [1 - 0] Thierry Henry 82' [1 - 1] Park Ji-Sung
France: Barthez; Abidal, Gallas, Thuram, Sagnol; Malouda, Vieira, Makelele, Zidane; Wiltord, Henry.
South Korea: Lee Woon-Jae; Kim Young-Chul, Kim Dong-Jin, Choi, Lee Young-Pyo; Kim Nam-Il, Park Ji-Sung, Lee Eul-Yong, Lee Ho; Lee Chun-Soo, Cho Jae-Jin.
From the very first minutes, the French actively joined the game and began to attack South Korea's goal. Already in the seventh minute of the match, after a great pass from Thierry Henry, another French forward Sylvain Wiltord had the opportunity to score, but his shot was well saved by the opposing goalkeeper Lee Woon-Jae.
Just a few minutes later, S. Wiltord made a precise pass to his teammate T. Henry, who sent the ball into the net with a precise shot, putting the French ahead 1-0.
In the middle of the first half, Florent Malouda could have increased the French advantage with a long-range shot, but the shot missed just past the post.
As the half was ending, South Korea's forward Cho Jae-Jin had the opportunity to level the score, but his shot was inaccurate.
In the second half, the French attack again became active: T. Henry made a pass to S. Wiltord, but the latter's shot was off target.
Unable to find a way to break through South Korea's defense, the French tried to attack the opponent's goal with long shots, F. Malouda decided to try his luck with a shot from distance, but the ball flew over the crossbar.
As the match was nearing its end, near the French team's goal box in the penalty area, Cho Jae-Jin made a great header pass and Park Ji-Sung directed the ball into the net with a precise shot, leveling the score 1-1.
After this conceded goal, the French tried to turn the result in their favor, but all their attempts were unsuccessful, and the match ended in a 1-1 draw.
