France coach Raymond Domenech hailed the performance of Patrick Vieira after a 2-0 win over Togo saw them through into the last 16 of the World Cup where they will meet Group H winners Spain.

Domenech and France had been facing the prospect of elimination at the first hurdle for the second consecutive World Cup but goals from Vieira and Thierry Henry sealed a victory that keeps their hopes alive.

"I don't normally like singling out players," said Domenech. "But with Patrick Vieira I will make an exception. I said before the World Cup started he would be one of the most important players - he showed that with his performance.

"We're happy with what we've accomplished," said Domenech. "But it's not enough yet.

"We have 23 players who must keep themselves available to play at any stage.

"In the first half we worked hard and created chances which we didn't finish," said Domenech. "In the second half we stepped it up and did the job.

"It was never going to be easy and you can't just score goals when you want."

France spurned a host of chances in the first half and Togo held out until the interval for a scoreline which would have eliminated the French were it to stand at full-time.

However, Vieira slotted home the opener and then set up the second goal for Henry who scored the goal that eventually sealed a 2-0 win and meant that France were not waiting on the result of the match between Switzerland and South Korea.

"That's a tiresome question," said Domenech when asked if Vieira had saved his job.

Togo coach Otto Pfister refused to blame the off-the-field problems that have beset the World Cup debutants for the defeat.

"For six or seven days we worked normally and the conditions were okay for this match," said Pfister.

The German coach felt that France were nervous in the first 45 minutes but that the victory was merited for Les Bleus, who maintained their chances of regaining the trophy they won the last time the World Cup was staged on European soil.

"They did not play badly but they made mistakes because they were nervous in the first half but they were a different team after the break and France deserved their victory," Pfister said.

"Togo has a future not only at African level but also at world level."