BRAZILIAN FULL-BACK Roberto Carlos scored one of the goats of the decade to provide the enduring memory of his team's draw with the host nation in the opening Tournoi de France fixture in Lyon last night.
Carlos's free-kick lit up a match which eventually finished all square, thanks to Marc Keller's second-half equaliser for France.
The 24-year-old Real Madrid defender, winning his 31st cap, unleashed a 35-yard shot, with a 20 yard run-up, that looked as if it was heading for the corner flag.
But, to French goalkeeper Fabien Barthez's astonishment it curled back in and nestled in the back of the net - giving Carlos just his second goal in international football.
France hit back on the hour as Ibrahim Ba, who is on his way to AC Milan from Bordeaux crossed, beating Carlos and Mauro Silva. Although veteran goalkeeper Taffarel saved well from Florian Maurice's shot, Keller was there to knock it into an empty net for his first international goal.
The French, with only one win against the Brazilians in their last seven meetings, had few clear-cut chances, despite dominating the second half, and it was Barthez who had to field most of the chances from the Brazilians.
The 25-year-old Monaco goalkeeper, winning his seventh cap, saved well from a 25-yard effort by Brazilian captain Dunga, earning his 72nd cap, and safely held a free-kick from Djalminha, who replaced Middlesbrough's Juninbo in the squad.,
France's best opportunity to level the scores prior to Keller's effort had been Zincdine Zidane's five-yard free kick - given for Taffarel picking up Dunga's back pass - which clipped Cafti's heels and spun along the line.
World footballer of the year Ronaldo, who had a quiet game by his high standards and was brilliantly marshalled by Barcelona team-mate Laurent Blanc, broke free just once with a splendid volley in the 10th minute that Barthez did equally well to tip over the bar.
The 24-year-old Ba should have opened the scoring a couple of minutes later when he slipped clear of the Brazilian defence, but his shot was blocked by Taffarel's legs.
Brazil replied instantly, with Cafri, who came on as a substitute in the 1994 World Cup final, crossing in only for Barthez to pull off a great save from Giovanni's 20-yard volley.
England coach Glenn Hoddle saluted the brilliance of Carlos' free-kick, but still feels that the Brazilians are beat able.
"Some oohs and aahs went around when that went in," said Hoddle. "It takes some doing from that distance - you won't see a better free-kick."
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