Euro 2012: France Draw 1-1 with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Win Group D

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at Internationaled.org

Published: October 12, 2011

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For awhile there, it looked like it might be France vs. Ireland all over again.

Les blues had sputtered to a 1-1 draw at the Stade de France on that unforgettable night of Nov. 18, doing just enough to seal passage from the two-leg playoff into the 2010 World Cup finals, but ruining reputations in the process.

Thierry Henry's blatant handball had led to a William Gallas equalizer (1-1) on a night when France were outplayed, out-hustled, and outperformed by the visiting Irish. They were through to the World Cup on a 2-1 aggregate thanks to Nicolas Anelka's deflected strike in the away leg four nights earlier in Dublin, but in the most unconvincing of fashions.

Yet everything had supposedly changed since that fateful match nearly two years ago. New manager Laurent Blanc, taking over from the hapless Raymond Domenech, had overcome a rough beginning to his campaign (losses to Norway and Belarus) to lead his charges on what has now become a 15-match unbeaten run.

France needed only a point from Tuesday's match to finish top of Group D and earn the automatic bid into next summer's European Championships, ahead of second-placed Bosnia.

But from the kickoff, everything seemed wrong.

Bosnia were immediately on the upper foot, with in-form Manchester City striker Eden Dzeko looking menacing in front of goal. Their game plan was impeccable, bossing the French midfield and dictating play.

For the bulk of the first half, the visitors outplayed France to the chagrin of the Stade de France faithful, who must have wondered if they were to see their team slip to yet another disappointing performance in the stadium that had once witnessed the '98 side win the World Cup final.



Dzeko had missed a couple gilt-edged chances during the first half, but when he received a pass around the periphery of the France penalty area in the 40th minute, his considerable class finally won out.

Article Source: Bleacher Report - International Football

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