France continues to lead Brazil 2-0 in the World Cup final, but are down to ten men after Marcel Desailly was sent off for a second bookable offense in the 68th minute. Brazil brought in speedy youngster Denilson at the start of the second half, but the French defense continued its solid play, keeping Brazil from mounting well-crafted attacks. In particular, Lilian Thuram and Bixente Lizarazu did well to keep Brazilian attackers from getting around them on the flanks. Marcel Desailly received a yellow card in the 48th minute for what appeared to be dissent. Teammate Karembeu was booked eight minutes later for tripping Denilson. On the free kick that resulted from Karembeu’s card, the ball was played to the left for a streaking Roberto Carlos, who crossed it into the box. It came to Ronaldo just past the far post, and he blasted a shot from a tight angle right at Barthez, who did well to hold the ball and prevent a rebound. French coach Aime Jacquet immediately subbed Karembeu, who had been nursing an ankle injury, with Alain Boghossian. France survived a 61st-minute scare, when Barthez went out for a cross but did not get to the ball. The resulting Brazilian shot was cleared out by the well-positioned Desailly. Guivarc’h had another great chance for France in the 64th minute, when he ran onto a long ball in the left side of the Brazilian box, but his volley went over the bar. Guivarc’h was replaced by Christophe Dugarry in the 66th minute — the first appearance for Dugarry since suffering a leg injury early in the first round. France suffered a major blow when Desailly fouled Cafu and received a second yellow card in the 68th minute and was ejected.