A first half goal by Javier Saviola earned Argentina a clinical
1-0 victory over France in a friendly international at the Stade de
France on Thursday.
Argentina played their punchy, inventive football throughout to
deny the World Cup finalists on an icy Paris evening and give Alfio
Basile his first win in his second spell as national team coach
following defeats against Brazil and Spain.
Barcelona forward Saviola, who had a pretty average spell when he was playing in Ligue 1 for Monaco in 2004/05, struck the winner in the 15th minute following a typical South American move.
The Albiceleste, knocked out of last year's World Cup by hosts Germany in the quarter-finals, never gave Les Bleus the chance to come back despite Franck Ribery's efforts in midfield.
"They are a very strong team, they never let anything go," said France captain Patrick Vieira.
"We failed in front of goal, it's a pity because we played a good match," added coach Raymond Domenech.
The match, played in front of a record French national team attendance of 79,862, was the first between the two sides since France beat Argentina 2-0 at the Parc des Princes in 1986.
Argentina quickly went ahead with Saviola netting his 11th goal for his country at the end of a beautiful move he started himself.
Esteban Cambiasso collected a backheel from the Barcelona striker to set up Hernan Crespo, whose attempt was parried away by Gregory Coupet. Saviola, however, was ready to pounce and put the ball in the empty goal.
France responded strongly, stepping up a gear in midfield, but proved too clumsy in front of goal.
David Trezeguet, who was raised in Argentina, had France's only chance when he was denied by Roberto Abbondanzieri shortly before the interval.
After the break France coach Raymond Domenech decided to bring more speed to the right wing when he replaced Florent Malouda with Olympique Lyon team mate Sidney Govou.
Argentina, however, still had the game under control and Crespo came close to doubling the tally with a 20-metre drive saved by Coupet in the 56th minute.
Trezeguet, who hardly had the chance to show his skills, was substituted in the 72nd minute by Nicolas Anelka.
Defender Roberto Ayala became the most capped Argentine player, beating Diego Simeone's record, when he won his 107th cap.
