France held to 0-0 home draw by Croatia

SAINT-DENIS, France — France's winning streak came to an end when it was held to a 0-0 draw at home to Croatia on Tuesday, with Karim Benzema missing an easy chance and Adil Rami hitting the post for Laurent Blanc's side.

France entered the match on the back of six straight wins, but lacked a cutting edge against Slaven Bilic's disciplined if overly physical Croatia.

Benzema has scored freely for Real Madrid in recent weeks, but managed to miss from six yards (meters) in the 40th minute after good work from Jeremy Menez down the right.

Rami hit the post in the second half, and the defender landed heavily on his shoulder attempting a bicycle kick late on, and was stretchered off.

France was jeered at the final whistle at Stade de France.

Menez looked the liveliest player in a dull first half, twice getting into good positions, the second time picking out Benzema with a pass he should have buried, rather than spooning it over the crossbar.

Croatia was keen to make amends for its surprise 1-0 defeat to Georgia in Euro 2012 qualifying last weekend, but created only one decent chance.

A quick break down the left almost saw Bilic's team take the lead in the 43rd, when France left back Gael Clichy was caught out of position, forcing defender Philippe Mexes to come over and cover Ivan Perisic's run.

But Mexes was too casual and clumsily shepherded Perisic into space, and he forced goalkeeper Hugo Lloris into a one-handed save with his curling shot.

Menez provided Benzema with a half-chance, but he shot wide and the players walked off to jeers at halftime.

Some Croatia fans lit flares in their section of the stadium at the start of the second period, and threw several flares onto the field, forcing stewards to retrieve them.

Defender Patrice Evra and winger Franck Ribery were back in front of their home fans for the first time since receiving bans over their roles as ringleaders during France's notorious World Cup strike.

They were both on the bench, and there were boos when the stadium announcer read their names out quicker than usual.

Blanc made five changes from Friday's laborious 2-0 win against Luxembourg in a qualifier, with Menez taking Ribery's slot on the right wing.