Lich
07-02-2006, 09:46 PM
France have booked their place in the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ semi-finals at the expense of holders Brazil, this after a Zinedine Zidane-inspired 1-0 win for Les Bleus in Frankfurt set up a last-four clash with Portugal.
Thierry Henry’s 57th-minute volley was the game’s solitary, all-important goal, and with Raymond Domenech’s side inspired by a vintage showing from Zidane, Brazil could have few complaints at the final whistle.
France now complete an all-European line-up in the tournament’s semi-finals, with their clash against England’s conquerors Portugal scheduled for 5 July in Munich, a day after Germany and Italy do battle in Dortmund.
The match:
1’: Zidane produced some excellent footwork in the opening seconds of the match. Sporting golden boots, he spun away from the attentions of the Brazilian midfielders, but over-hit a pass meant for Thierry Henry.
4’: Brazil won a free-kick in a dangerous position after Franck Ribery fouled Ronaldinho, buy Juninho Pernambucano's shot deflected off Patrick Vieira’s head and out for a corner.
14’: After a sustained spell of pressure, France forced a corner. Dida failed to gain the cross comfortably, but got enough purchase on the ball to push it clear of danger.
15’: Play immediately switched to the other end and Brazil created a good chance to score. Ronaldo whipped in a good cross and Kaka was just inches away from steering the ball past Fabien Barthez.
26’: Lucio conceded his first foul at this FIFA World Cup when he clipped Henry’s heels. Zidane hit the free-kick over the bar.
33’: Ribery ran into Gilberto Silva and won a free-kick. Thuram charged into the box and got on the end of Zidane’s centre, but his header was aimed straight at Juan, who cleared the danger.
44’: Once again, Zidane was at the centre of the action to create a chance for France. After collecting possession and turning, he played the ball through to Vieira, who was racing clear of Brazil’s back four. Juan brought down the Juventus midfielder on the edge of the area and earned a yellow card.
France on the front foot:
46’: Right from the restart, France were on the offensive. In the opening minute of the second period, Vieira met a Zidane free-kick with a glancing header, but the ball flew just wide of the post.
48’: Ronaldinho showed some fine touches to try and emulate the example of the enchanting Zidane. After displaying some excellent ball control on the right, he won a corner for the holders. Brazil managed to sustain the pressure for a few minutes and Barthez had to be alert to prevent Ze Roberto’s cross-cum-shot from finding the target or one of his team-mates.
54’: France had the ball in the net when Henry latched on to Vieira’s flick-on and slotted home, but the linesman rightly ruled the effort out for offside.
57’: Just three minutes after being denied, Henry broke the deadlock. A free-kick from Zidane was floated into the box and the Arsenal striker was left unmarked to steer a right-footed volley into the net.
61’: Ribery spun away from Lucio near the corner flag and attempted to square the ball to Zidane. However, the ball took a deflection off Juan and flashed just past the far post.
70’: France broke quickly and Ribery looked certain to score, but Dida narrowed the angle and blocked at the winger's feet on the edge of the area.
81’: Substitute Robinho had arguably Brazil’s best chance of the game, but the Real Madrid man shot wide of the target when well placed in the area.
88’: Ronaldo was fouled on the edge of the area by Thuram, and Ronaldinho stepped up to take the free-kick. With hearts in mouths across France, the FIFA World Player of the Year curled his effort inches over the crossbar to the great relief of Raymond Domenech’s side and their noisy supporters.
91+’: Substitute Louis Saha was played in by Zidane for a shot that Dida saved well. The goalkeeper cleared the ball downfield to put France on the back foot. Barthez denied Ronaldo with a superb stop and Gallas was on hand to clear the rebound ahead of Adriano.
In conclusion: France fully merited this victory, orchestrated by the superb Zidane, whose performance was well worthy of the Budweiser Man of the Match Award. The 34-year-old was simply sensational in this match, supplying an inch-perfect cross for Henry’s goal and showing a superb range of passing and skills throughout the 90 minutes.
Thierry Henry’s 57th-minute volley was the game’s solitary, all-important goal, and with Raymond Domenech’s side inspired by a vintage showing from Zidane, Brazil could have few complaints at the final whistle.
France now complete an all-European line-up in the tournament’s semi-finals, with their clash against England’s conquerors Portugal scheduled for 5 July in Munich, a day after Germany and Italy do battle in Dortmund.
The match:
1’: Zidane produced some excellent footwork in the opening seconds of the match. Sporting golden boots, he spun away from the attentions of the Brazilian midfielders, but over-hit a pass meant for Thierry Henry.
4’: Brazil won a free-kick in a dangerous position after Franck Ribery fouled Ronaldinho, buy Juninho Pernambucano's shot deflected off Patrick Vieira’s head and out for a corner.
14’: After a sustained spell of pressure, France forced a corner. Dida failed to gain the cross comfortably, but got enough purchase on the ball to push it clear of danger.
15’: Play immediately switched to the other end and Brazil created a good chance to score. Ronaldo whipped in a good cross and Kaka was just inches away from steering the ball past Fabien Barthez.
26’: Lucio conceded his first foul at this FIFA World Cup when he clipped Henry’s heels. Zidane hit the free-kick over the bar.
33’: Ribery ran into Gilberto Silva and won a free-kick. Thuram charged into the box and got on the end of Zidane’s centre, but his header was aimed straight at Juan, who cleared the danger.
44’: Once again, Zidane was at the centre of the action to create a chance for France. After collecting possession and turning, he played the ball through to Vieira, who was racing clear of Brazil’s back four. Juan brought down the Juventus midfielder on the edge of the area and earned a yellow card.
France on the front foot:
46’: Right from the restart, France were on the offensive. In the opening minute of the second period, Vieira met a Zidane free-kick with a glancing header, but the ball flew just wide of the post.
48’: Ronaldinho showed some fine touches to try and emulate the example of the enchanting Zidane. After displaying some excellent ball control on the right, he won a corner for the holders. Brazil managed to sustain the pressure for a few minutes and Barthez had to be alert to prevent Ze Roberto’s cross-cum-shot from finding the target or one of his team-mates.
54’: France had the ball in the net when Henry latched on to Vieira’s flick-on and slotted home, but the linesman rightly ruled the effort out for offside.
57’: Just three minutes after being denied, Henry broke the deadlock. A free-kick from Zidane was floated into the box and the Arsenal striker was left unmarked to steer a right-footed volley into the net.
61’: Ribery spun away from Lucio near the corner flag and attempted to square the ball to Zidane. However, the ball took a deflection off Juan and flashed just past the far post.
70’: France broke quickly and Ribery looked certain to score, but Dida narrowed the angle and blocked at the winger's feet on the edge of the area.
81’: Substitute Robinho had arguably Brazil’s best chance of the game, but the Real Madrid man shot wide of the target when well placed in the area.
88’: Ronaldo was fouled on the edge of the area by Thuram, and Ronaldinho stepped up to take the free-kick. With hearts in mouths across France, the FIFA World Player of the Year curled his effort inches over the crossbar to the great relief of Raymond Domenech’s side and their noisy supporters.
91+’: Substitute Louis Saha was played in by Zidane for a shot that Dida saved well. The goalkeeper cleared the ball downfield to put France on the back foot. Barthez denied Ronaldo with a superb stop and Gallas was on hand to clear the rebound ahead of Adriano.
In conclusion: France fully merited this victory, orchestrated by the superb Zidane, whose performance was well worthy of the Budweiser Man of the Match Award. The 34-year-old was simply sensational in this match, supplying an inch-perfect cross for Henry’s goal and showing a superb range of passing and skills throughout the 90 minutes.