Slovakia were far from a disgrace to their home support as they went down 1-0 at home to France. Les Bleus controlled most of the first half and deservedly led at the break, but their second half slowdown might have cost them against a more cutting-edged side...
While the visitors tailed off towards the end, they were slightly the better side overall, but did not quite display the quality of a team so recently victorious over current world champions, Italy.
It was a largely even first half, but one in which both sides had their chances - and one that the French took.
Anelka started well for the French, but it was perhaps Slovakia's Vittek that had the best chance of the opening 20 minutes as he very nearly beat Landreau with a speculative effort.
The PSG keeper was slow to react, the relief on his face easily apparent when the ball sailed narrowly wide.
France began to find their feet and, bar a brief scare engineered by Hamsyk and Vittek, the action remained in the Slovak half up until the opening goal.
Henry and Ribery had both threatened plenty, but it was the former that was to get his country off the mark.
The new Barcelona forward defied his marker and unleashed a slapshot that foxed Senecky, giving Les Bleus the lead with six minutes until half time.
Indeed, Henry was to continue threatening going into the second half, but France found themselves largely unable to make a breakthrough.
Toulalan came on for Vieria, who handed over the captain's armband to Thierry Henry, but not even this talismanic switch could break down the Slovaks.
In fact, France were slowing down, while Holosko - brought on at half time for his second match in two days - seemed in fine fettle, playing a low cross for Vittek which Landreau had to be quick to grab on the hour mark.
Ribery was driving the French creative engine by this point, but his long range shots were proving futile.
Once more Slovakia drove forward, Vittek laying the ball off for Hamsik in the box, but the Napoli forward couldn't make his effort count. Vittek and Cech continued to try their luck, but it was all for nought.
As the game wore on, it was all over bar the substitutions as the French first team did what the second string failed to do the night before: leave Slovakia with a win.
Goals: 0-1 (Henry 39)
Slovakia: Senecky; Durica, Cech, Had (Zofcak 67), Krajcik; Klimpl, Mintal (Holosko 46), Hamsyk, Sapara (Kozak 71); Sestak (Slovak 46), Vittek
Yellow Cards: Klimpl 22, Slovak 69
France: Landreau; Mexes (Boumsong 88), Clerc (Sagna 63), Abidal, Evra; Malouda, Vieria (Toulalan 59), Makelele, Ribery (Nasri 72); Henry (Benzema 85), Anelka
Yellow Cards: Malouda 48
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