France have continued their domination of world football with a 1-0 victory over Japan in the FIFA Confederations Cup final in Yokohama. Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira headed in from Frank Leboeuf's long upfield pass in the 29th minute, outjumping Naoki Matsuda and goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi on the edge of the box to score only his second ever international goal with a high looping header. Roger Lemerre's side won more comfortably than the scoreline suggests, and Japan badly missed Arsenal transfer target Hidetoshi Nakata who had been recalled by Roma's to assist with their Serie A title challenge.
France have emulated Brazil's feat of holding three international titles at the same time. Brazil achieved this by winning the World Cup in 1994 and the Copa America and Confederations Cup in 1997. France added this title to the 1998 World Cup and last year's European championship.
Filed by Greg McKevitt
