SOCCER/France 3 Ivory Coast 0: Zinedine Zidane made a sensational return to international soccer last night, rolling back the years with a world-class performance that inspired France to an impressive 3-0 friendly win over the Ivory Coast.

Since Zidane announced his return a fortnight ago, the French have talked about little else, and the Real Madrid star was soon showing the nation just what they have been missing.

From the first whistle, he teased and tormented opponents, caressing the ball around the Montpellier pitch with precision and grace, and, in the process, giving his team-mates an assurance that was lacking last season.

By the time Zidane applied the coup de grace, scoring a sumptuous left-footed volley from Sylvain Wiltord's 63rd-minute corner, Les Bleus were already a goal up through William Gallas.

The party inside the Stade de la Mosson, which housed a record attendance of 31,457, was complete when Thierry Henry scored a third goal midway through the second half.

France's fourth victory in the Raymond Domenech era, and their first gained in convincing fashion, may not have scored them any points in the race for World Cup qualification, but it will certainly have lifted spirits and instilled confidence ahead of their trip to Dublin on September 7th.

As expected, Lilian Thuram and Claude Makelele, also back from retirement, were both named in the starting line-up. Thuram returned to the centre of defence, with Jean-Alain Boumsong partnering him and Gallas moving to left back.

Patrick Vieira was a surprise omission, allowing Vikash Dhorasoo to keep his place in central midfield alongside Makelele, as Florent Malouda and Sylvain Wiltord patrolled the flanks. Zidane started the game in an advanced role just off Henry.

The predictable cries off "Zizou, Zizou," rang around the ground at kick-off, but the fans were quickly silenced when Bonaventure Kalou threaded a pass through for Aruna Dindane inside the first minute, only for the striker to be flagged offside.

The carnival atmosphere resumed seconds later when Zidane had his first touch, delighting the crowd with a trademark step-over.

Evidently handed the freedom of the park by Domenech, Zidane's impact was immediate. It was his superb cross-field ball that created the game's first chance on six minutes, as Sagnol was played into space on the right and crossed accurately for Henry, who headed over.

At 33, he may not cover the ground as quickly as he used to, but the speed of Zidane's passing, and the finesse with which he executes those passes, remain as inspiring as ever.

Playing with more fluidity than at any other time in the last year, France should have gone ahead on 18 minutes.

Wiltord cut in from the right and played Henry through, but instead of shooting he tried to set up his former Arsenal team-mate and the chance went begging.

Didier Drogba then drew a sharp save from Gregory Coupet as the game flowed from end to end, but it was France who looked the more dangerous.

Malouda had placed a shot wide before Zidane had the crowd on its feet again, sending a fizzing right-foot shot narrowly over the crossbar from the edge of the area.

The opening goal duly arrived in the 28th minute, though the source was somewhat unexpected. Wiltord's corner was headed powerfully home at the near post by Gallas for his first international goal.

If France were an improved side going forward, they continued to look vulnerable at the back. Thuram had twice been caught out by Drogba's pace before his comeback was brought to a premature end by a first-half injury.

The visitors threatened to draw level after the break, first when Drogba nipped in between France's centre backs and headed a left-wing cross fractionally over, then when Dindane was bundled to ground by Makelele inside the penalty area.

The referee, seemingly reluctant to spoil the party, waved the penalty appeals away.

France were soon in the ascendancy again, though, and Zidane duly handed his adoring public the moment they had been waiting for. Wiltord's corner seemed to have been over-hit, but France's new captain was loitering unmarked at the far post, and he lashed home a pin-point volley.

The home side were soon playing the kind of football reminiscent of the glory years. Dhorasoo, who was having another influential match, slid a perfect pass through for Henry, and he capped the win by rounding the goalkeeper and scoring from an acute angle.

France's concentration wavered in the closing stages and the visitors finished on top.

Substitute Bakary Kone somehow shot wide of an opening goal in the dying seconds, but the evening ended just as it had begun - with the crowd paying homage to their hero. The messiah is back and France seem a different proposition entirely.

FRANCE: Coupet, Thuram (Squillaci 24), Boumsong, Gallas, Sagnol, Dhorasoo, Makelele (Diarra 88), Zidane, Henry (Cisse 71), Wiltord (Trezeguet 80), Malouda (Rothen 71). Subs Not Used: Landreau, Zebina, Givet, Vieira, Govou. Booked: Makelele. Goals: Gallas 28, Zidane 62, Henry 66.

IVORY COAST: Tizie, Boka, Domoraud (Eboue 46), Kolo Toure, Tiene, Zoro Kpolo, Zokora (Demel 70), Yapi Yapo, Dindane, Drogba (Bakary Kone 78), Kalou (Romaric 46). Subs Not Used: Gnanhouan, Kouassi, Meite, Akale, Fae, Gneri Yaya Toure, Arouna Kone. Booked: Zoro Kpolo.