France fail to overhaul Ireland

France missed out on a golden opportunity to go top of Group Four after picking up just a point following a disappointing performance in a goalless draw with Switzerland at the Stade de France.

Before the match Les Bleus, who had two 2-0 wins and two goalless draws under their belt in their previous four qualifiers, were lying in second spot with the same amount of points as leaders Ireland and third-placed Israel.

But despite creating a handful of chances in both halves the French never found the back of the net.

France had their first chance five minutes into the match when Sylvain Wiltord received a cross from captain Patrick Vieira and fired a powerful shot which slid past the left-hand post.

Switzerland responded a minute later with France goalkeeper Fabien Barthez forced to make a save following Philipp Degen's strike.

Vieira missed a golden opportunity in the 22nd minute. Wiltord started the move but his shot was stopped by Swiss keeper Pascal Zuberbuhler's knee before  landing at the feet of the Arsenal player who missed from a superb position.

Striker David Trezeguet was next to have a go but Zuberbuhler was ideally placed and made a clinical save.

The Juventus striker once again failed to find the back of the net in the 27th minute following a long cross from the right from Ludovic Giuly.

Although at times disorganised the French continued creating chances in vain.

Four minutes before the break Ricardo Cabanas fired a powerful shot towards the French goal but Barthez stopped it.

In the second half it was the same story. Wiltord found himself in front of Zuberbuhler but lost his one-on-one battle with the Swiss goalkeeper.

The Lyon striker failed to convert a beautiful strike in the 52nd minute when after picking up the ball on the run, failed to create enough spin on his shot and it went past the right post.

Wiltord could not believe his bad luck when five minutes later he again failed to find the back of the net after his shot flew over the cross bar and Trezeguet also went close but Zuberbuhler was equal to his chance and made the save.

The same situation took place in the 77th minute when Trezeguet found himself face to face with Zuberbuhler who made a clinical save.

France kept pressing up front right to the end but failed to make the break through, with the final whistle being greeted by a chorus of boos by the French faithful, disgruntled at their side's third consecutive 0-0 draw in the group.

France now go to Israel on Wednesday whilst Switzerland host Cyprus.