BRAZIL 0 FRANCE 1 - MATCH REPORT
Report by Pez

The last two winners of the World Cup clashed for a place in the semi-finals, and it was 1998 winners who progressed with a deserved, but narrow 1-0 victory over pre-tournament favourites and holders Brazil.

Zinedine Zidane started the match in a positive fashion, while Roberto Carlos typically tried a spectacular long-range effort. The first real chance however fell to Ronaldo; his back post header went over the bar after coming at an awkward height.

With lots of brave defending and blocks, chances were hard to come by, but with Brazil's frustration growing, France and Zidane were getting a real foothold in the game. Juan only avoided a red-card after scything down Vieira due to a covering defender as the Juventus man latched on to Zidane's pass, with Henry's resulting free-kick almost giving Gallas a chance.

Henry was harshly disallowed his goal on 53 minutes when deemed offside, but his wasn't to be denied 5 minutes later. The Arsenal man converted Zidane's deep free kick, as he leapt to side foot a spectacular volley beyond a helpless Dida.

Brazil manager Parreira restored the magic quartet when introducing Adriano in place of Juninho Pernambucano, who had been ineffectual in midfield. Zidane had rolled back the years for this game, and his bewitching skills and passing left Brazil helpless, simply keeping the ball from the champions. With Adriano unable to change the game so far, Cicinho and Robinho were introduced, as Brazil reverted to their Gung-Ho style of play.

Robinho put wide after Ronaldinho's knock down, and Cicinho's free-kick was cleared from the box with Brazil panicking. Ronaldo shot wide again under pressure from Willy Sagnol, while France looked to run down the clock with Henry and Ribery departing for Govou and Saha. Lucio smashed a volley over the bar after Barthez punched a corner clear, and Ronaldo was still causing problems for France, winning a free kick on the edge of the area, which Ronaldinho curled narrowly over.

Zidane put through Saha on the break, but Dida kept his team in it with a fantastic save from the striker's fierce effort. Ronaldo and Ze Roberto both had chance in stoppage time, Barthez hacked away Ronaldo's goal bound effort, and Ze Roberto poked a dangerous cross wide, but France held on for yet another famous win over Brazil after their 1998 final win.

Man Of The Match: Zinedine Zidane - A majestic performance from the retiring playmaker, his superb set piece gave Henry his goal, and his range of passing was unrivalled despite the quality of players on the pitch. Just like in 1998 when the game was centred around Zidane, Ronaldo and the benched Henry, it was those three players who changed the game, and like in 1998 in was Zidane who was the difference between the teams.

Referee: Luis Medina Cantelejo
Venue: Waldstadion
Attendance: 48,000

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