June 11, 1997
Netplus.fr

PARIS -- A last-minute penalty by Juventus' Alessandro Del Piero handed Italy a 2-2 draw with France in the closing match of the Tournoi de France on Wednesday, denying the hosts a much-needed victory in their World Cup dress rehearsal.

In a last-ditch attack by the Italians, French right back Lilian Thuram brought down the tricky Del Piero, who converted the penalty with a hard shot to debutant goalkeeper Lionel Charbonnier's right.

Del Piero, who also had a hand in the Italians' first equaliser by Pierluigi Casiraghi and was always a handful for the French defense, ended up as the tournament's top scorer with three goals. He scored two, including a penalty, against Brazil.

France, who scored two excellent goals through Italy-based pair Zinedine Zidane and Youri Djorkaeff, looked to have secured a victory to savour as they embark on the final year's countdown to the World Cup finals which kick off on June 10, 1998.

The tournament was won by England, who beat Italy and France before losing 1-0 to world champions Brazil on Tuesday. The Brazilians were the only unbeaten side after draws with the hosts and Italy in Lyon.

France and Italy finished with two draws and one defeat apiece, the French ending up third on goal difference.

Zidane, one of five Juventus players on the Parc des Princes pitch, put France ahead in the 12th minute with a superb strike, taking a beautifully weighted ball from Thuram on the outside of his right foot and curling it past goalkeeper Gianluca Pagliuca into the roof of the net at the near post.

Casiraghi equalized just after the hour, rising above Thuram to head home at the far post after a cross from the left from Angelo Di Livio who had been put clear by a  superb ball from his Juventus team mate Del Piero.

French central defender Frank Leboeuf, in is first match in the tournament, was unable to block the header on the line.

Substitute Djorkaeff, whose role in the France team has been questioned by the French media, answered his critics only nine minutes after coming on for striker Florian Maurice.

He drove the ball from outside the penalty box past his surprised Internazionale team mate Pagliuca to restore his team's lead in the 72nd minute, only for Del Piero to have the final word.

Italy coach Cesare Maldini said: "We had a good second half tonight and I think there are a lot of positive things to come out of this game.

"Zidane and Djorkaeff scored two beautiful goals, they were like jewels," he added.

France coach Aime Jacquet said: "I'm disappointed because in our last two games we conceded goals in the last few minutes.

"This proves the players are really tired and don't have the physical resources at this stage of the season to last to the end of the game."

France lost 1-0 to England in Montpellier on Saturday when Alan Shearer scored five minutes from time.
.