ROMANIA

Labont: 7.0 - Was out smartly to deny Malouda in the first half but will be surprised at how little he had to do.

Contra: 7.0 - Marshalled Malouda fairly well and ensured he couldn’t get in behind and deliver crosses.

Rat: 7.0 - Sound defensively and tried his utmost to get forward whenever possible. Handled Ribery well enough.

Goian: 7.5 – A solid partnership with Tamas which marshalled Anelka and Benzema well and restricted them only to shots from the edge of the area.

Tamas: 7.5 – The centre back who plays his club football in France, did well and ensured the French attack endured a frustrating evening.

Chivu: 7.5 – The captain has a little bit of class which shows in his distribution. Tidied up well when needed to and a good all around performance.

Radoi: 7.0 – A solid, well disciplined, midfield performance.

Cocis: 6.0 – Steady, made the Romanians difficult to break down before being subbed after an hour.

Niculae: 7.0 - Another player who plays his football in France. Struggled at times on his own up front, but did just about enough.

Mutu: 7.0 - Looked dangerous and certainly gave Thuram and Gallas something to think about.

Nicolita: 6.5 – Busy and industrious throughout although he maybe should have been more involved.

Substitutions:

Codrea: 6.5 - Replaced Cocis with half an hour to go and kept things tight in midfield.

Niculae: n/a

Dica: n/a


FRANCE

Coupet: 7.0 - A virtual spectator for the majority of the game. Expect him to be busier against Italy and Holland.

Sagnol: 6.5 - Looked rusty, as well he might having missed part of the season through injury. His crossing and distribution were poor at times but he got forward well enough.

Abidal: 6.0 - Surprisingly picked ahead of Patrice Evra and he doesn’t offer the same threat going forward as the Manchester United man. Defensively did OK although it will be interesting to see if he retains his place in the side.

Gallas: 7.0 - Handled what little threat Romania offered comfortably.

Thuram: 7.0 – Looked after Mutu and Niculae confidently and really wasn’t troubled.

Toulalan: 6.0 – Came into the starting line up for Vieira but didn’t have the same influence. Couldn’t get his team going forwards although he tidied up well enough at the back when needed to.

Makelele: 6.0 – He saw a lot of the ball and his passing was as immaculate as always but he couldn’t drive his team on.

Ribery: 6.5 - France’s most creative player who worked hard to get in behind the Romanian defence but couldn’t quite carve out the chance the French needed.

Malouda: 6.0 – A quiet first half and an even quieter second. Seemed reluctant to take on his man and offered little as an attacking force. In short, disappointing.

Anelka: 5.0 – Had a few half chances which he didn’t trouble the goalkeeper with but otherwise a quiet afternoon. Domenech eventually lost patience with the Chelsea man and swapped him for Gomis.

Benzema: 5.5 - France will have been hoping for better from their great hope. Some nice touches and managed to fashion a couple of shots but didn’t really trouble the keeper.

Substitutions

Gomis: 5.5 - Replaced Anelka for the last 20 minutes but couldn’t find a way through the Romanian defence.

Nasri: 5.0- Replaced Benzema but could no better than the Lyon man had before him.