ZURICH (Reuters) - World champions Italy were leading 10-man France 1-0 at halftime in their final Group C match at Euro 2008 on Tuesday.

Andrea Pirlo converted a 25th minute penalty after France defender Eric Abidal brought down Italy striker Luca Toni and was shown a red card for the challenge.

France had earlier survived a few scares in a re-run of the 2006 World Cup final and lost influential winger Franck Ribery, who had to be substituted on eight minutes after appearing to injure his left leg in a collision with Gianluca Zambrotta.

France, missing midfielder and captain Patrick Vieira through injury and needing to win to stand any chance of reaching the quarter-finals, then had full back Patrice Evra booked for a dangerous tackle on Antonio Cassano.

Italy nearly added a second just before halftime when a Fabio Grosso free kick was touched onto the post by France keeper Gregory Coupet.

The Italians, clearly the better side in the first 45 minutes on a damp Letzigrund pitch, might just squeeze through with a draw. Both sides, however, will be eliminated if Romania beat group winners Netherlands at the same time in Berne.

(Editing by Trevor Huggins)