The Brazilian team were brandishing a banner which said "Senna, our eternal champion" as they marched out on to the field in homage to the Brazil Formula One legend who was killed at the San Marino Grand Prix a little over a decade ago.

The match, more a sporting celebration than a real contest, saw both teams wearing an old-style kit made of thick material in the first half with France in their usual blue and Brazil in white.

They reverted to their usual clothing after the interval but the party atmosphere continued with both sides only showing flashes of motivation and the match ending goalless for the first time in 11 contests.

With Brazil soon to play South American World Cup qualifiers and France involved in the Euro 2004 tournament in Portugal next month, the players looked for the most part careful not to spoil their preparation.

France coach Jacques Santini however would have been pleased to see their ninth consecutive match without conceding a goal though that apart, it is hard to see what else he would have gleaned from this contest.

Shortly after the match, Santini said captain Marcel Desailly had incurred a knee injury without adding details on the severity of the problem.