France's goalless draw with Israel confirmed a lot of work will be needed to overcome the absence of Zinedine Zidane.
The duo return to the squad for next month's World Cup qualifiers against Israel and the Faroe Islands.
Former champions France should put underdogs Honduras to the sword in their World Cup Group E opener in Porto Alegre on Sunday - although their penchant for self-destruction gives the Central Americans hope of an upset.
Four years after making fools of themselves in South Africa, France have regained their credibility and can even realistically contemplate making a major impact at the World Cup finals.
Kevin Gameiro grabbed a stoppage-time equaliser for Valencia after Denis Cheryshev had reduced the deficit with 20 minutes remaining, leaving the tie in the balance heading into the second leg at the Mestalla stadium on February 28.
RB Leipzig marked their first appearance in the Champions League knockout round with a deserved 1-0 victory at last season's runners-up Tottenham Hotspur
A lot has changed for France goalkeeper and captain Hugo Lloris and defender Bacary Sagna since they were part of the team that left the 2010 World Cup in South Africa in disgrace.
France captain Patrice Evra and Nicolas Anelka were among five players summoned on Friday for a disciplinary hearing for their part in Les Bleus' mutiny during the World Cup, the French Football Federation (FFF) said.
French Football Federation president Jean-Pierre Escalettes is planning to resign following France's World Cup fiasco. He said he will officially present his resignation at a council meeting of the ruling body scheduled for Friday.
England coach Fabio Capello and his French counterpart Laurent Blanc will both want to end a hugely disappointing year with a win on Wednesday but will try to achieve their aims in different ways.
Striker Nicolas Anelka has been banned for 18 games by the French team after the players' World Cup revolt, the French Football Federation (FFF) said on Tuesday.
The French press heaped scorn and derision on the national soccer team (Les Bleus) on Monday after players boycotted a training session in South Africa to protest against the expulsion of one of their group.
France's World Cup campaign descended into chaos on Sunday with a row between captain Patrice Evra and a fitness coach, a boycott of a training session and the resignation of a senior team official.
France are poised to name former World Cup winner Laurent Blanc as the man to take over from unpopular coach Raymond Domenech after the World Cup. Blanc told his club Girondins Bordeaux on Sunday he wanted to leave with one year remaining on his contract in order to take the reins of the national team.
After weeks of heated discussions following France's World Cup fiasco, new national team coach Laurent Blanc said on Monday it was time to switch back to soccer.
France's captain and most prolific scorer Thierry Henry faces the once inconceivable prospect of being a substitute at the World Cup for the country he has graced for over a decade.
New blood and a change of formation paid dividends for France as debutant Mathieu Valbuena netted the winner in a 2-1 World Cup warm-up win over Costa Rica on Wednesday.
Images from Saturday's La Liga action.
Bafetimbi Gomis celebrated his first cap with two goals to earn France a 2-0 win over Ecuador in a Euro 2008 warmup on Tuesday.
Valencia, who lifted the trophy on their last appearance in the showpiece match in 2008, will meet 30-times winners Barca in the final on May 25 at Betis' Benito Villamarin stadium.
Italy drew 0-0 with France in a passionate and tough-tackling Euro 2008 qualifier on Saturday, which dropped the world champions to third in Group B.
An ankle injury will keep the veteran goalkeeper out of the matches against Israel and the Faroe Islands.
France needed a late goal from Thierry Henry to snatch a 3-2 win over Costa Roca in a friendly international.
When he took the field in the 84th minute in the France-Switzerland match on Tuesday, he became the first player of Indian parentage to play in World Cup finals.
An early goal by Thierry Henry set up a 2-0 win for France against Denmark in a World Cup warm-up match
The ace midfielder was named in the team for France's final two World Cup qualifiers next month despite a groin injury.
A round-up of Friday's action in La Liga, and Bundesliga.
Trezeguet had recently played in the Indian Super League for Pune City FC.
Lionel Messi was at the top of his game as Barcelona earned a 3-2 win at Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday to move up to third in La Liga.
Nicolas Anelka could be a part of the Indian Super League football tournament as Mumbai City FC's negotiations with the former France and Chelsea striker are at an "advanced" stage.
The 51-year-old was a member of the Croatian team that finished third in the 1998 World Cup.
Images from football matches played in the La Liga, Serie A and Bundesliga on Saturday.
France, who have earned a reputation for leaving it late at this European Championship, would be well-advised to wake up early when they face Iceland for a place in the semi-finals, veteran defender Patrice Evra warned on Thursday.
The 35-year-old, who has played for a host of English Premier League clubs including Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool, will join compatriots David Trezeguet and Robert Pires in the league, that will run from October 12 to December 20.
A summary of Saturday's football action across the world.
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