A goal two minutes from time by Zinedine Zidane handed European champions France a 1-0 victory over Ukraine yesterday in their last warm-up match before they start the defence of their title in Portugal next weekend. Zidane volleyed home a pass by defender Willy Sagnol to break the deadlock.
Jacques Santini's team dominated for most of the match but had looked set for a third goalless draw from four matches after goalkeeper Oleksander Shovkovsky saved two clear chances which fell to Zidane and midfielder Robert Pires.
Germany stumbled to an embarrassing 2-0 home defeat by Hungary yesterday, two first-half goals from striker Sandor Torghelle giving the visitors a surprise victory over a lacklustre German side.
A shaky German defence had already struggled a few times when Torghelle raced into the box to surprise Oliver Kahn after seven minutes. Germany were then caught by a swift counter-attack on 31 minutes, a move which ended with Torghelle beating Kahn from close range.
Afterwards, German coach Rudi Voeller said; "The result is not okay and this was a reminder that we have a lot of work to do but there's no need to panic. Of course we didn't want to lose but at Euro 2004 all the warm-up games will count for nothing,"
Milan Baros scored twice in the first 22 minutes to hand the Czech Republic a 2-0 win over Estonia yesterday.
Baros took a pass from midfielder Tomas Rosicky before rounding goalkeeper Martin Kaalma to net the opener after six minutes. The Liverpool man then reacted quickest 16 minutes later to make it 2-0 after Rosicky's shot had been deflected on to the crossbar.
Switzerland edged past Liechtenstein 1-0 yesterday courtesy of a late strike from midfielder Daniel Gygax.
Gygax struck home from the edge of the penalty area as the game entered stoppage time to save Switzerland from a draw with their semi-professional neighbours.
Switzerland had numerous chances to make the game safe before Gygax struck but Liechtenstein goalkeeper Peter Jehle denied strikers Alex Frei and Stephane Chapuisat with excellent saves in the first half.
Latvia were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Azerbaijan yesterday. Latvia, who play their Group D opener against the Czech Republic on June 15th, struggled in a quiet first half but after the break were more vibrant and Dynamo Kiev striker Maris Verpakovskis gave them the lead in the 53rd minute.
Azerbaijan equalised two minutes later when Emin Guliyev scored from 25 metres and they went ahead with a penalty in the 74th minute from Gurban Gurbanov.
Latvia fought back and were awarded a penalty themselves eight minutes from time after Andrejs Rubins was fouled. Mihails Zemlinskis netted to earn a draw.
On Saturday hosts Portugal completed their Euro 2004 preparations with a 4-1 win over Lithuania, their goals coming
from Fernando Couto, Pauleta, Nuno Gomes and Helder Postiga. Neighbours Spain also scored four, without reply, as they beat Andorra, the goals coming from Fernando Morientes, Ruben Baraja, Juan Carlos Valeron and Cesar Martin. Also on Saturday, Henrik Larsson capped his return to international duty for Sweden with a goal as part of a 3-1 win over Poland.
