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On Friday, late in the evening, the French team managed to secure a victory for the first time since 1998, earning a ticket to the World Cup quarterfinals. "Les Bleus" defeated their African opponents, the team from Togo, with a score of 2-0. The goals for the winners were scored by midfielder Patrick Vieira and forward Thierry Henry. In the quarterfinals, the French will face their neighbors from Spain.
Place: Rhein Energie Stadion, Cologne, 45000 spectators Referee: Jorge Larrionda (Uruguay) France 2 - 0 Togo '55 [1 - 0] Patrick Vieira '61 [2 - 0] Thierry Henry
France: Barthez, Gallas, Silvestre, Thuram, Sagnol, Malouda (Wiltord 73), Makelele, Vieira (Diarra 81), Ribery (Govou 77), Trezeguet, Henry.
Togo: Agassa, Nibombe, Abalo, Tchangai, Aziawonou, Cherif-Toure (Olufade 59), Senaya, Salifou, Forson, Mohamed, Adebayor (Dossevi 75).
The French team knew the value of victory very well and immediately started attacking the African team's goal, with forward David Trezeguet having the first chance to score after a precise pass from Frank Ribery, but Togo's goalkeeper Kossi Agassa caught the header.
A few minutes later, the Togolese created a dangerous attack, but French goalkeeper Fabien Barthez successfully blocked Mohamed Kader's shot.
Later, Thierry Henry and Frank Ribery managed to break through the Togo defense, with Ribery making another pass to his teammate D.Trezeguet, whose shot hit the net, but the goal was disallowed for offside.
Just before half-time, after a pass from T.Henry, F.Ribery had a perfect opportunity to score, but his shot towards the goal was very inaccurate.
As the first half ended, the Togolese goalkeeper K.Agassa demonstrated impressive skills by repelling the ball, stopping a strong long-range shot from Florent Malouda, and then saving D.Trezeguet's attempt from the rebound, keeping the African team's goal safe.
In the added time of the first half, in the 48th minute, D.Trezeguet could have scored after a pass from F.Ribery, but unfortunately, his shot hit Togo's captain Jean Paul Abalo.
In the second half, the attacks on the Togo goal continued, with F.Ribery passing the ball to Patrick Vieira, who, on his 30th birthday that day, scored the opening goal in the 55th minute, putting the French ahead 1-0.
Just six minutes later, in the 61st minute of the match, the French attacking leader T.Henry smoothly sent the ball into the lower corner of the goal, increasing the French advantage.
As the game neared its end, the Togolese tried to create something dangerous, but their efforts were ineffective. The French team secured a much-needed victory with a score of 2-0.
