"You can say that saving a penalty is just luck but luck doesn't come to you like this," Barthez said. "You have to stir it up, it is the result of hard work.

"In a situation like this one the odds are 90 per cent against the goalkeeper but you never know. It's only instinct."

The flamboyant Barthez, who was sent off for a reckless tackle playing for Olympique Marseille in last month's UEFA Cup final defeat by Valencia, said he had just guessed correctly when faced by his former Manchester United team mate.

"I dived to the right," he said about his 73rd minute save. "I was really focussed on what I was doing. It's just great because going 2-0 down, the story would have been over."

France midfielder Patrick Vieira paid tribute to his goalkeeper.

"It's in a great match that you see great players," said Vieira, also mentioning captain Zinedine Zidane, who scored two injury-time goals to seal an incredible victory for France.

"I played my part," said Barthez. "But you must not forget what Zidane did. This is exactly what he is capable of."

Barthez, 32, joined Marseille from Manchester United in January after falling out of favour with the English Premier League side's manager Alex Ferguson and starting the season on the bench.

Despite excellent performances by Olympique Lyon's Gregory Coupet, who helped his club to a third consecutive league title, coach Jacques Santini kept faith with Barthez.

"Among the goalkeepers, the hierarchy is clear. Fabien is the first choice, Gregory and Mickael Landreau are the replacements," Santini said this week.

Barthez is almost certain to start against Croatia on Thursday in Leiria but if France win he may be allowed to miss the final Group B match against Switzerland in order to rest.