Australia 1 France 1
Australia held France to a 1-1 draw in a friendly international in Melbourne today after the home side had surprised the world champions by taking a 1-0 lead at half-time.
Goals either side of half-time by Australia's Craig Moore and France striker David Trezeguet settled the controversial match, which had brought the club versus country debate in Europe into sharp focus over recent months.
Inspired by Zinedine Zidane in midfield, France had dominated the first half and had a host of scoring chances, but just before the break a header by Rangers defender Craig Moore gave the hosts the lead against the run of play.
A corner from Stan Lazaridis came off the head of Australia's Tony Vidmar and Rangers defender Moore took advantage of the ensuing goalmouth scramble to head the ball past Fabien Barthez at the far post.
France responded three minutes into the second half with a tap in from close range for Juventus striker Trezeguet after some good interplay between Christophe Dugarry and Robert Pires.
The world champions were now in full flow and Zidane and Patrick Vieira angrily confronted Australia defender Kevin Muscat after an ugly challenge on Dugarry resulted in the France forward being taken from the field on a stretcher with suspected knee damage.
Muscat was yellow-carded and immediately substituted by Australia coach Frank Farina.
The game then became a free-flowing affair despite the very wet conditions, with both sides creating scoring chances and Leeds striker looked increasingly threatening for Australia.
John Aloisi had the opportunity to secure victory for Australia in injury time, but lost his footing in the box as substitute Mikael Silvestre defended desperately.
Australia will meet the team that finishes fifth in South America's World Cup qualifying campaign in a two-match playoff on November 20 and 25 for a place in the finals in Japan and South Korea next year.