Birthday boy Vieira sends France through to meet Spain

By Pete Jenson Jun 24, 2006, 0:47 GMT

Patrick Vieira (R) from France celebrates with his teammates Claude Makelele (L) and William Gallas after scoring the 1-0 lead during the group G match of 2006 FIFA World Cup between Togo and France in Cologne on Friday, 23 June, 2006. EPA/ACHIM SCHEIDEMANN

Berlin - There were no birthday bleus for Patrick Vieira as he fired France into the last 16 to face Spain who just can't stop winning.

On his 30th birthday the Juventus midfielder broke Togo and South Korea hearts with a 55th minute goal. He then set-up Thierry Henry for France's second as the 1998 World Cup winners found their form just in time.

He said: 'We made it difficult for ourselves with the draws in the first games. I'm relieved we are through. It was a good night for me and maybe now some of the pressure will be lifted and we can go from strength to strength.'

Without the suspended Zinedine Zidane, Vieira had more attacking license and made the most of it with his goal and assist. Now the French face on-form Spain who have gone 25 games under boss Luis Aragones without losing.

Spain's winning habit continued as they beat Saudi Arabia to make it maximum points from their group games. Ukraine beat Tunisia to set up a meeting with Switzerland and complete the second round draw.

The Spanish join Brazil, Germany and Portugal in passing through their group stage having not dropped a point.

They were even able to rest their entire first-team and take their foot off the gas in the second half and still beat Saudi Arabia.

Winger Jose Antonio Reyes, who benefited from the B-team run-out and set up the solitary goal for defender Juanito said afterwards: 'We have the winning mentality and it can take us much further in this tournament.'

Only Saudi keeper Mabrouk Zaid's fine display kept the score down. He made great first half stops from Joaquin and David Abelda before being beaten by Juanito.

Boss Luis Aragones was disappointed with his side's display after the break but delighted with the maximum nine-point haul. He said: 'We played well below are capabilities but we have qualified. We can keep dreaming of winning the World Cup. We need to improve but we can work on that.'

Spain goalscorer Juanito said afterwards: 'I don't know what happened in the second half. We didn't have our usual rhythm and we didn't keep the ball, but we won and that is the main thing.'

Saudi Arabia go home with just a point but their Brazilian boss Marcos Paqueta refused to be too despondent.

He said: 'Even after rotating their players Spain still had a very good team. We played our hearts out and we were unlucky not to get an equaliser. This World Cup was a great experience for us. We have to take positive things from it.'

Spain will meet France in Hanover on Tuesday. Ukraine will play Switzerland, who are yet to concede a goal, in Cologne on Monday having come back from a disastrous start to the tournament.

'I'm pleased that we made it,' Andriy Shevchenko said afterwards. 'It was very difficult after we lost 4-0 to Spain in our opening game but the team pulled itself together and we're now in the last 16.'

It was the Chelsea striker's controversial 70th-minute penalty that saw Ukraine beat Tunisia 1-0 in Berlin.

He appeared to trip over his own leg but Paraguayan referee Carlos Amarilla awarded the spot-kick and the striker stepped up to fire home the only goal of the game.

Tunisia played the entire second half with 10 men after Zied Jaziri was sent off just before the break for a second booking.

Switzerland went through thanks to Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos' first half header from a Hakan Yakin free-kick and a dubious second from Alexander Frei who looked off-side when he scored.