Manchester United striker Louis Saha scored on his international debut as France won their 14th successive match by beating Belgium 2-0 in a friendly on Wednesday...
News Source: soccernet.com
'It was important to go on with our string of victories. We managed to do so despite a good Belgian side,' said coach Jacques Santini.
'For Louis and Peguy (Luyindula), it was not easy. They got what they came for since Louis scored and Peguy is involved in the first goal.'
Olympique Lyon forward Sidney Govou opened the scoring after 45 minutes when he pushed the ball into the empty net after Belgium goalkeeper Geert De Vlieger failed to block a shot from Saha.
The Manchester United recruit doubled the tally 15 minutes from time when he was set up by Zinedine Zidane to slot the ball past second choice goalkeeper Frederic Herpoel.
The Red Devils had only one real chance when a free kick by midfielder Peter Van Der Heyden hit the bar after an hour.
France have not conceded a goal since a 3-2 win over Turkey in their Confederations Cup semi-final in June.
In the 11th minute, a lively Luyindula was perfectly set up by Zinedine Zidane, only for the Olympique Lyon striker to shoot wide.
Six minutes later, Claude Makelele replaced Olivier Dacourt who injured his right thigh.
The French defence, skipped by Marcel Desailly, proved too strong for the Red Devils to be a real threat to Fabien Barthez.
The Belgian rearguard, however, was impassable for Louis Saha or Luyindula as teenager Vincent Kompany muzzled the French forwards until Govou found the hole.
Jacques Santini made two changes at halftime with Robert Pires and Bixente Lizarazu stepping in respectively for Govou and Mikael Silvestre.
A string of substitutions did not change the face of the game and Saha was rewarded for his efforts when Zidane, offered him the chance of a goal.
'We were a bit lucky. I'm happy for Louis. First cap, first goal, it's nice,' said Zidane.
