Romania denies French win

Romania denies French win

France's hopes of booking a direct passage into next summer's World Cup finals suffered a setback after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Romania in Paris on Saturday night.

The hosts had gone ahead after 48 minutes when Thierry Henry forced home from close range, but the equaliser arrived eight minutes later when Julien Escude turned the ball into his own net.

The result leaves France four points adrift of leaders Serbia, who they meet in a crunch match in Belgrade on Wednesday.

The result is likely to pour pressure on France coach Raymond Domenech who opted to start star winger Franck Ribery on the bench, no doubt with Wednesday's game in mind, while Escude was preferred to Barcelona defender Eric Abidal.

The returning Patrice Evra forced Abidal from the right-back role with Domenech deciding to partner Escude alongside William Gallas in the centre of defence.

Romania knew anything but a win would effectively end their qualification hopes, and had to do without striker Adrian Mutu.

France immediately threatened through Henry who thrashed a shot at goal that goalkeeper Danut Coman tipped past the post.

Real Madrid midfielder Lassana Diarra then blasted an ambitious drive over from 30 yards.

The home side almost got reward for their early endeavour after 17 minutes when Henry headed home a Yoann Gourcuff free-kick, only for the goal to be ruled out.

Gourcuff's creative influence was providing headaches for the Romanians who were happy to see him shoot over from the edge of the area before his corner was turned past the post by Nicolas Anelka.

Just before the half hour Coman parried another Gourcuff shot away from danger.

For all of France's dominance they almost conceded an equaliser four minutes before the interval when Romeo Surdu fired a shot against the post from 12 yards.

France did go ahead after the break and it their skipper Henry who was on hand to score.

William Gallas outjumped his marker at the back post to head Gourcuff's corner on target with Henry lurking to force it home.

It should have been a moment to ease the nerves around the Stade de France, but just eight minutes the visitors were level.

The Romanians surged forward down the right flank and a cross behind the retreating defence was turned into his own net by Escude with an outstretched leg.

Domenech responded by immediately bringing on Ribery for Andre-Pierre Gignac, but the Bayern Munich winger struggled to impose himself.

After 72 minutes Karim Benzema was introduced for Gourcuff and almost got the winner two minutes later when his 25-yard free-kick thundered into the crossbar.

But if the French crowd expected their side to issue a late rally it never came with Romania easily able to keep their hosts at bay.

Jeremy Toulalan hit a long-range drive at Coman, but it was easily dealt with by the goalkeeper and ensure that France's midweek fixture against Serbia will be a must-win fixture.