The last two World Cup champions saw their first action of the 2006 tournament on Tuesday in Germany with decidedly different results. Defending champion Brazil recorded a 1-0 victory against Croatia in Group F, while 1998 title winner France was held to a goalless draw against Switzerland in Group G. In the day's first match, also in Group G, Korea came from behind to defeat Togo 2-1.
Brazil was far from invincible, though they dominated the Croatians in the first half and Kaka put them in front with a superb left-footed strike shortly before the break. His curling effort from some 22 yards nestled perfectly in the top corner, leaving the Croatian goalkeeper helpless.
The Croatians had a number of decent looks at Dida's goal in the second half, though they failed to find the net. They still have a good shot to advance to the final 16, though, with matches upcoming against teams not quite of Brazil's pedigree: Japan and Australia. For Brazil, Tuesday's scrappy victory not only secured the five-time winners with three points. It also earned them a place in the record books by becoming the first nation ever to win eight consecutive World Cup matches.
France's struggles from four years ago continued in Stuttgart as they again failed to find the net. In 2002 the star-studded French side failed to score a single goal and limped out of the first round. Retiring Real Madrid great Zinedine Zidane and Arsenal's Thierry Henry couldn't produce offense on Tuesday, either. The Swiss actually came closest to scoring in the 24th minute when Tranquillo Barnetta's inswinging free kick bounced through the box and caromed off of Fabian Barthez's left post.
France had a claim for a penalty kick 13 minutes later when Henry's shot appeared by be blocked by Patrick Mueller's outstretched arm, but no call was made. 'Les Bleus' could have stolen three points right at the final whistle, had Vikash Dhorasso's half-volley found the other side of the far post.
Togo's 2-1 defeat at the hands of Korea means that all four of Africa's debutant teams lost in their first World Cup match. Tunisia is the only African side that carries previous World Cup experience into the 2006 tournament. Despite the turmoil surrounding Togo, which saw its coach step down and then rejoin the squad, the Africans looked lively in the first half and took the lead on 31 minutes. Kader Mohamed nailed a perfect shot off the post and in to record the first World Cup goal in Togo's history and give them the 1-0 lead.
But things soured for Togo early in the second half when Jean-Paul Abalo was sent off after receiving a second yellow card, for pulling down Jung Hwan Ahn. Chun Soo Lee buried the ensuing free kick with a dipping shot over the wall. Ahn then provided the winner in the 72nd minute with a great goal from long range, drilling a right-footed shot into the top of the far corner. With the result, Korea recorded its first ever World Cup win on foreign soil.
Jonathan Nierman is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
