Man of the match Patrick Vieira helped lift France into the last 16 with a 2-0 win over Togo in their concluding World Cup Group G fixture here on Friday.

The Juventus midfielder celebrated his 30th birthday in towering style, putting the 1998 champions into an early second half lead, then setting up Thierry Henry for the second as France slew the demons of 2002.

Raymond Domenech’s side, missing suspended Zinedine Zidane, were facing a second successive first round exit and went into this must-win game seeking their first World Cup victory since the 3-0 triumph over Brazil eight years ago.

Fighting for their World Cup lives Les Bleus were unable to convert a hatful of first half chances, largely thanks to the heroics of one man - Kossi Agassa in the Togo goal.

Agassa, who plays his club football for newly demoted French side Metz, got an early sign that he was in for a busy night when he had to tip a David Trezeguet header over the bar.

Vieira’s Juve teammate, teaming up for the first time in the competition with Henry in attack, had the ball in the back of Agassa’s net in the 14th minute after some neat work between Frank Ribery and Henry only for the effort to be ruled offside.

Ribery, winning only his second full cap, then shot into the stands from the left of the box on the half hour mark, causing Henry to hit the turf in frustration.

Close to the break Agassa performed a near miracle to first block Florent Malouda’s shot then scrambling around like a demon to keep out Trezeguet’s attempt to knock in the rebound inches from his line.

But while France will have felt aggrieved not to be ahead at the break already knocked out Togo were fulfilling their promise not to make up the numbers, the African debutants looking dangerous on the counter attack with Fabian Barthez having to move smartly to punch clear a shot from Mohamed Kader.

With France’s record goalscorer Michel Platini watching on Togo went close shortly after the break when Emmaneul Adebayor picked up Kader’s lob into the box but the on-rushing Barthez smothered the danger.

Down at the other end Ribery was at fault again when his effort from in front of goal.

went sailing into the Cologne night.

But the young Marseille tyro made amends in no uncertain fashion in the 55th minute when beating off the Togo defence to find Vieira who sent French fans wild when flashing the ball into the top right hand corner of Agassa’s net.

Henry made a point of going over to hug the one they call the new Zidane.

Their nerves settled France doubled their lead six minutes later when Vieira, rising to the occasion, headed to Henry who rifled in low and left, the Arsenal striker celebrating by cupping his hand over his ear to savour the cheers from the crowd.

Vieira’s night ended painfully when he came off after a nasty elbow to the face, but the reception he received and the knowledge that France now have a second round date with Spain in Hanover on Tuesday will have eased his evident discomfort.

Source:Soccer News