France goalkeeper Fabien Barthez called their 2-2 draw against Croatia a miracle after his shaky-looking team salvaged a draw on Thursday.
‘‘Everything had started well but I had the feeling things could change as there was a dull rhythm (to the game) and they were very quick. It was a miracle to grab one point,’’ he said.
Barthez, who saved David Beckham’s penalty in France’s 2-1 stoppage time victory over England on Sunday, could not keep out Milan Rapaic’s spot kick in their second Group B match. A free kick deflected into his own goal by defender Igor Tudor had put France ahead at half-time but after the break things turned round in a four-minute spell with Rapaic’s equaliser and Man-Of-the-Match striker Dado Prso’s goal. Barthez said France must now avoid the mistakes they made against Croatia when they face the Swiss on Monday in Coimbra.