Sport | Football

France stuns Brazil

Zinedine Zidane is now one game away from the World Cup final. The aging French captain produced a stunning performance to punish lacklustre defending champions Brazil last night.

  • Agencies
  • Published: 00:00 July 2, 2006
  • Gulf News

Frankfurt: Zinedine Zidane is now one game away from the World Cup final.

The aging French captain produced a stunning performance to punish lacklustre defending champions Brazil last night, just like he did in 1998 when he headed two goals to lead Les Bleus to its first World Cup title. His dangerous curling free-kick enabled Thierry Henry to fire in France's winner in the 57th minute.

Brazil's shock exit leaves four European teams - Germany, Italy, France and Portugal - to battle for glory. The last time the World Cup saw an all-European semi-finals was in 1982 when Germany, Italy, France and Poland made it to the last four before Paolo Rossi and Dino Zoff took the Azzuri to victory. France will now meet Portugal in Munich.

After a tight first-half where Dida and counterpart Fabien Barthez were not tested, last night's game came alight in the second half. Henry's goal spurred France into waves of counter-attacks against a Brazil side lacking any real creative purpose despite early glimpses of playmaker Ronaldinho's silky skills.

Zidane's 106th appearance for France was one of his most memorable. But getting better with every match, he could be saving his best for Berlin.

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