France produced another disappointing World Cup performance as they were held to a goalless draw by Switzerland in Stuttgart, with their glorious 1998 title now looking a long, long time ago.
Raymond Domenech's side had questions to answer going into the tournament with an ageing team coming under fire from their home media, and their display inside the Gottlieb-Daimler Stadium could hardly have been worse.
Kobi Kuhn's Swiss side had drawn twice with France during qualifying and in truth they had the better of the chances and will feel unlucky not to have gathered all three points from the woeful French.
Thierry Henry had an early chance after six minutes but Sylvain Wiltord's cross was just too high and he could not keep his header down, and it was going to be yet another quiet display from a man so feared in an Arsenal shirt but struggling when playing for Les Bleus.
The first real strike on target in a low-key opening came from Switzerland with Tranquillo Barnetta firing his well-hit shot straight at Fabien Barthez.
Despite his advancing years Zinedine Zidane showed glimpses of his skills as his superb long-range pass got Henry in down the left, but his roll across the face of goal was nowhere near Wiltord, who had never really tried to get into the box.
The best chance of the half fell to the Swiss when Barnetta's in-swinging free kick beat everyone and struck the post.
Alexander Frei was on hand for the rebound but he spooned his close range effort over the bar under pressure from Lilian Thuram and Eric Abidal.
Henry had looked ill at ease up front on his own, but his clever nutmeg and pass eventually found Franck Ribery on the edge of the box, but he shot over.
Ribery, who was making his first international start, showed some of the huge promise he possesses on 38 minutes when he skipped clear of the Swiss defence, but he showed his inexperience when he opted to pull the ball back to Henry instead of shooting.
To make matters worse, Henry's shot hit Patrick Muller's hand but no penalty was given by Russian referee Valentin Ivanov.
Henry had the last say of the half in his trademark outside left position but his weak finish, which may have even been an attempted pass to Patrick Vieira, summed up the opening 45 minutes for the French.
The second period continued in the same slovenly style as the first, with the French only getting a first chance after Switzerland lost the ball in midfield, but Henry's pass to Wiltord was cut out by a superb tackle from Philippe Senderos.
Just as France looked to press on the hour mark Barnetta burst into the box for the Swiss but his attempted square ball for Frei was cleared for a corner.
As France continued to struggle Switzerland continued to carve out the best chances, with Barthez forced to punch Ludovic Magnin's free kick away from danger.
Substitute Daniel Gygax had a glorious chance to put Switzerland ahead when he arrived onto Magnin's cross at the far post, but his close range header was saved by the shins of Barthez from no more than three yards out.
After such a let off France's talented side should have been stung into action but they still could not get into gear, although Wiltord was close to getting on the end of a neat one-two with Zidane after a super touch from the skipper.
Swiss keeper Pascal Zuberbuhler nearly handed France an undeserved winner two minutes from time as he fumbled Zidane's free kick, but the excellent Senderos was on hand to clear the danger.
Substitute Vikash Dhorasoo fired a shot inches wide in stoppage time but there was no way out of jail for France's stars, and it could have been even worse in the dying seconds as Magnin's dangerous free kick was so nearly converted by Frei.
That would have made France's first World Cup game even worse but it was still another poor showing from the 1998 world champions and, with Henry largely anonymous and Zidane looking frustrated with the rest of his side, it does not look good for their chances.
Raymond Domenech's side had questions to answer going into the tournament with an ageing team coming under fire from their home media, and their display inside the Gottlieb-Daimler Stadium could hardly have been worse.
Kobi Kuhn's Swiss side had drawn twice with France during qualifying and in truth they had the better of the chances and will feel unlucky not to have gathered all three points from the woeful French.
Thierry Henry had an early chance after six minutes but Sylvain Wiltord's cross was just too high and he could not keep his header down, and it was going to be yet another quiet display from a man so feared in an Arsenal shirt but struggling when playing for Les Bleus.
The first real strike on target in a low-key opening came from Switzerland with Tranquillo Barnetta firing his well-hit shot straight at Fabien Barthez.
Despite his advancing years Zinedine Zidane showed glimpses of his skills as his superb long-range pass got Henry in down the left, but his roll across the face of goal was nowhere near Wiltord, who had never really tried to get into the box.
The best chance of the half fell to the Swiss when Barnetta's in-swinging free kick beat everyone and struck the post.
Alexander Frei was on hand for the rebound but he spooned his close range effort over the bar under pressure from Lilian Thuram and Eric Abidal.
Henry had looked ill at ease up front on his own, but his clever nutmeg and pass eventually found Franck Ribery on the edge of the box, but he shot over.
Ribery, who was making his first international start, showed some of the huge promise he possesses on 38 minutes when he skipped clear of the Swiss defence, but he showed his inexperience when he opted to pull the ball back to Henry instead of shooting.
To make matters worse, Henry's shot hit Patrick Muller's hand but no penalty was given by Russian referee Valentin Ivanov.
Henry had the last say of the half in his trademark outside left position but his weak finish, which may have even been an attempted pass to Patrick Vieira, summed up the opening 45 minutes for the French.
The second period continued in the same slovenly style as the first, with the French only getting a first chance after Switzerland lost the ball in midfield, but Henry's pass to Wiltord was cut out by a superb tackle from Philippe Senderos.
Just as France looked to press on the hour mark Barnetta burst into the box for the Swiss but his attempted square ball for Frei was cleared for a corner.
As France continued to struggle Switzerland continued to carve out the best chances, with Barthez forced to punch Ludovic Magnin's free kick away from danger.
Substitute Daniel Gygax had a glorious chance to put Switzerland ahead when he arrived onto Magnin's cross at the far post, but his close range header was saved by the shins of Barthez from no more than three yards out.
After such a let off France's talented side should have been stung into action but they still could not get into gear, although Wiltord was close to getting on the end of a neat one-two with Zidane after a super touch from the skipper.
Swiss keeper Pascal Zuberbuhler nearly handed France an undeserved winner two minutes from time as he fumbled Zidane's free kick, but the excellent Senderos was on hand to clear the danger.
Substitute Vikash Dhorasoo fired a shot inches wide in stoppage time but there was no way out of jail for France's stars, and it could have been even worse in the dying seconds as Magnin's dangerous free kick was so nearly converted by Frei.
That would have made France's first World Cup game even worse but it was still another poor showing from the 1998 world champions and, with Henry largely anonymous and Zidane looking frustrated with the rest of his side, it does not look good for their chances.
