Euro 2000 Group D - France 2 Czech Republic 1

World Cup holders France have won a place in the last eight at Euro 2000 with a 2-1 win in Bruges over the Czech Republic.

The Czechs are now eliminated from the tournament after two defeats while the French march on. Although they conceded a goal after taking an early lead they did enough to find the second half winner that puts them through to the quarter finals next weekend.

The Czechs knew they needed to win this match and started well by winning early tackles and SS Lazio midfielder Pavel Nedved forced a save from Fabien Barthez in only the 3rd minute. Nedved ran through from midfield and hit a head high drive into the palms of the new Manchester United goalkeeper.

Two minutes later Smicer shot wide and Koller produced a weak header at Barthez before France got a fortunate 7th minute lead.

Czech defender Petr Gabriel was looking to hit the ball back to goalkeeper Pavel Srnicek but he hit a fluffed pass straight through to Thierry Henry. The French striker emphasised his good form by carrying the ball up to Srnicek and poking it through his dive into the far corner.

The French then came forcefully into the match after their good fortune.

Henry hit a shot wide in the 15th minute and Anelka misplaced a 16th minute header from an Emmanuel Petit corner.

Zinedine Zidane crafted another attack by sending Henry through on the left side of the penalty areas and the striker hit his shot across the face of goal.

Patrick Vieira forced a save from Srnicek at his near post with an angled drive in the 30th minute as France completely took control of the game.

This was to change as Pavel Srnicek ran through midfield and into the penalty area but he was hit from behind by Didier Deschamps to lead to calls for a penalty kick. English referee Graham Poll consulted his assistant and gave the spot kick but television replays showed that Deschamps' initial tackle was outside the penalty area.

Karel Poborsky slapped a shot straight down the middle of the goal to bring the Czechs level.

The Benfica star then hit a drive wide of Barthez' goal after a powerful run in the 37th minute and combined well with Jan Koller in the 44th minute to hit a snap shot wide of the post from outside the penalty area.

France ended the second half threatening another goal with Henry forcing a save from Srnicek after a shot on the run.

The Czechs went for the win at thee start of the second session. Pavel Nedved was sent clear by a Rosicky header but his shit was palmed away by Barthez.

On the hour the French won the match as they relied on playing for breaks as the game descended into midfield tackling and a succession of free kicks.

Henry was put clear by substitute Youri Djorkaeff down the left and he controlled the ball past a defender and clipped a cross into the path of his provider. Djorkaeff buried the chance with a low right foot drive into the net..

The Czechs were close to equalising but had no luck at all when Nedved launched a free kick onto Koller's head the striker beat everyone in the air to direct a header against the cross bar. As the Czechs faced elimination their tactics descended into long balls hit hopefully up to Koller and the chances dried up as the French defence smothered their attacks.

France have again proved themselves to be the team to beat at Euro 2000.

First half score - 0-0

Final score - France 2 Czech Republic 1

First scorer - Jan Koller

Number of corners - 9