"I am very satisfied with how we played against one of the strongest teams in Europe," said Baric, who criticised Danish referee Kim Milton Nielsen for missing an apparent handball by French striker David Trezeguet in scoring the final goal.

The draw left France top of Group B, a point clear of England, who now face the Croats on Sunday needing only a draw to advance to the last eight.

A Croatian win would have left them in the driving seat against David Beckham's England side and Baric left his audience in no doubt about his view that the smaller nations receive a raw deal.

"It is hard to talk about the referee, especially as the coach of one of the 'outsider' teams," said Baric.

"I think the referees give a little something to the stronger teams. I think both (French) goals came from mistakes which went unpunished."

Man of the match, Croatian stiker Dado Prso, agreed with that view and echoed the criticism of the man in the middle.

"I think the referee was not too kind too us. There were French fouls leading to their goals and it was a handball for their equaliser," said Prso.

Baric denied his side was a dirty team, despite picking up nine bookings in two games.

"Half the cards were incorrect. Unfortunately, we have been declared as a dirty team."

With England having steamrollered a Swiss side that the Croats failed to break down last week, Baric admitted his men would have to pull a result out of the fire when they take on Sven-Goran Eriksson's team on Monday.

"We were totally committed against Switzerland and we will go into the England game believing we can match them.

"We will be 100 percent motivated and 100 percent ready."

Baric said he based that view on a second half showing Thursday which had the French fighting for their lives at 2-1 down after an Igor Tudor own goal from a Zinedine Zidane freekick had put France in front.

"France sent out their best team with a view to making it six points so they could rest up in the knowledge they were in the quarters.

"I think as the match went on we grew in stature and deserved our point.

"This is the first time Croatia has taken a point off France in official competition," Baric noted, France having won the 1998 World Cup semi-final and two further encounters.

"I think the next time we may win."