19 June 2004	Saturday	30 Rabi-us-Saani 1425

LEIRIA, une 18: Reigning European champions France passed up a chance to book their place in the quarterfinals of Euro 2004 on Thursday when an enterprising Croatia held them to a 2-2 draw in their second Group B encounter.

After coming back from the dead to edge out England in their opening encounter, the French clearly believed they had passed their sternest test with the Croatians having been unimpressive in eking out a goalless draw with Switzerland.

And when Igor Tudor deflected a Zinedine Zidane freekick into his own net half way through the first period French optimism did not look misplaced. The Croatians however rocked the titleholders with two quickfire goals just after the restart through Milan Rapaic from the penalty spot and Dado Prso.

And it was only when David Trezeguet capitalised on a ghastly error by Robert Kovac in the 63rd minute that France got on level terms. Referee Kim Milton Nielsen allowed play to continue although the ball struck Trezeguet's arm as he rounded the goalkeeper.

Croatia could have grabbed victory in the closing minutes if substitute Ivica Mornar had not poked a gilt-edged chance past the post. The draw leaves France a point clear of England, with a seemingly routine fixture against the Swiss to come.

Croatia meanwhile must beat England on Monday to advance. France coach Jacques Santini said: "This point changes nothing. We have to get a very good result against Switzerland.

Santini brought back veteran defender Marcel Desailly for his 116th cap, the Chelsea man having sat out the win over England following knee trouble, while fullback Bixente Lizarazu was exiled to the bench and Mikael Silvestre retained his place.

Sylvain Wiltord also came into midfield with Arsenal teammate Robert Pires rested having picked up a booking against England. The Croatians, who had ground to make up after a goalless draw against Switzerland, had Juventus defender Tudor back from suspension. But after a quiet opening period Tudor suffered a cruel dose of ill luck when he deflected in a Zidane freekick from some 25 yards out to leave Croatian keeper Tomislav Butina groping at thin air.

To cap his misery Tudor then picked up a booking for a foul on Patrick Vieira, who himself earned a caution for a tussle with Croatian skipper Dario Simic. France should have gone two goals to the good in the 40th minute but William Gallas headed over before a low Niko Kovac strike at the other end drew finally drew Fabien Barthez into action.

But having stunned England with their two last-gasp efforts from Zidane after falling behind, the French then seemed hell bent on doing things in reverse as the Croats did the same to them, scoring twice in five minutes to race into a shock lead.

The second half was barely two minutes old when Silvestre clattered into Dovani Rosso to hand Rapaic the chance to level from the spot. Where David Beckham had failed the Croatian succeeded, smashing the ball past Barthez.

Four minutes later it was Desailly's turn to flap as he completely lost Prso and the Monaco man thumped home on the turn. Trezeguet finally rescued the French just as their rivals theatened to overrun them, latching onto a misplaced backpass from Tudor and rounding Tomislav Butina to slot home his 29th goal in 53 internationals.

Santini then elected to play a trump card for the French as he threw on Robert Pires for Wiltord with 20 minutes remaining. Thierry Henry came close to snatching the win as he forced Butina to beat away a fierce drive.

Croatia still had time almost to snatch full points as Mornar, on for the final four minutes in place of Rapaic, failed to hit the target from six yards after a surging run by Ivica Olic. -AFP

France 2 Croatia 2

Today's fixtures:

Group D

Germany v Latvia (16.00GMT)

Holland V Czech Republic (18.45GMT)