World Cup champion France beat the Czech Republic 2-1 Friday to nearly secure a spot in the quarterfinals of the European Soccer Championship and push the Czechs close to elimination.

Thierry Henry scored seven minutes in and assisted on substitute Youri Djorkaeff's winner in the 60th for France (2-0), which moved atop Group D. Czech winger Karel Poborsky made a penalty kick 10 minutes before halftime in the game at Bruges Belgium. The Czech Republic dropped to 0-2, meaning the 1996 runner-up and the team with the first perfect qualifying record (10-0) in the event's history probably will be the first country eliminated. In Friday's later game, the Netherlands faced Denmark in Group D. The Czechs would only stay in contention for a spot in the final eight if the Dutch lost. Saturday sees England face Germany at Charleroi, Belgium, in a game that has sparked fears of hooligan violence, while Romania plays Portugal at Arnhem, Netherlands. Both are Group A games. Police were on alert in Charleroi on Friday after scattered incidents involving drunken English fans.