Dugarry punishes Romania to put France top of EURO '96 Group B

France moved to the top of Group B thanks to a 1-0 victory against Romania.

Having met twice in qualifying – a 0-0 draw in Saint-Etienne and a 3-1 win for France in Bucharest – these were two teams who could harbour no secrets from each other. Aimé Jacquet did not even attempt to spring a surprise, setting his team up in his trademark 4-3-1-2 formation. It once again proved fruitful for Les Bleus, with Christophe Dugarry's 25th-minute effort enough to separate the sides.

Romania exceeded expectations in the United States two years earlier, reaching the 1994 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals, but on this occasion failed to respond to Gheorghe Hagi's promptings. Though France put in a slightly more fluent display, they were left grateful for a slice of fortune which ultimately ensured they got off to a winning start.

Youri Djorkaeff put in a high cross from the right and goalkeeper Bogdan Stelea came out to the very edge of the penalty area where he collided with Gheorghe Mihali, allowing a surprised Dugarry to head in.

There could have been more goals late on, Patrice Loko escaping two defenders before missing the target and Laurent Blanc denying Viorel Modovan with a fine tackle, but Dugarry's effort was decisive.

Lineups

France line up at St James' ParkIcon Sport via Getty Images

Romania: Stelea; Selymes, Mihali, Popescu, Belodedici, Petrescu (Filipescu 78); Munteanu, Hagi (c), Lupescu; Răducioiu (Moldovan 46), Lăcătuş (Ilie 56)
Substitutes: Sabău, Prunea, Gâlcă, Doboş, Stîngă, Vlădoiu, Tene
Coach: Anghel Iordănescu

France: Lama; Di Meco (Lizarazu 68), Blanc, Desailly, Thuram; Karembeu, Djorkaeff, Guérin, Zidane (Roche 80), Deschamps (c); Dugarry (Loko 68)
Substitutes: Angloma, Leboeuf, Lamouchi, Barthez, Madar, Pedros, Martins, Martini
Coach: Aimé Jacquet

Referee: Hellmut Krug (Germany)

Man of the Match: Youri Djorkaeff (France)