France completed their build-up to the World Cup with an unconvincing 3-1 win against China tonight - but the match was overshadowed by a serious injury to Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse.
Cisse was carried off on a stretcher in the first half with a fractured tibia after falling awkwardly in the encounter in St Etienne.
Insult was almost added to injury with China holding Les Bleus as the match entered the closing stages.
But substitute Franck Ribery sparked a late rally as France netted twice in the closing stages.
First, the Marseille winger's cross from the left was comically shinned past his own goalkeeper on the volley by China defender Wang Yun.
Seconds later, Ribery played a neat one-two with Thierry Henry and, although he was beaten to the return by visiting keeper Li Leilei, the ball fell nicely for Henry to roll into the empty net from 30 yards.
It was a flattering win for France, who had struggled to convert their superiority into goals.
They made a bright start but went understandably flat when Cisse's leg gave way after a collision with China captain Zhi Zheng in the 11th minute.
France had the chance to take the lead three minutes after Cisse's departure but Zinedine Zidane, making his last appearance in his native France before he retires after the showpiece in Germany, missed from the penalty spot after slipping on contact with the ball.
David Trezeguet, Cisse's replacement, was more clinical after 30 minutes, tapping home Henry's cross at the far post.
Henry should have made it 2-0 on the stroke of half-time but shot wide when well placed.
China threatened an equaliser seconds later but Han Peng's blistering drive was superbly saved by Fabien Barthez.
The visitors did get back on level terms after 68 minutes though.
Eric Abidal brought down Zhi inside the area and Zhi himself stepped up to slot coolly past Barthez from the spot.
Ribery's introduction swung the game back in France's favour but Domenech has much to ponder before Les Bleus kick-off their World Cup campaign against Switzerland on June 13.
His first decision may be the replacement for Cisse with Nicolas Anelka and Ludovic Giuly the likely men to step up.
