Zidane fires French into final
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France booked their place in the World Cup final with a 1-0 win over Portugal in Munich, with Zinedine Zidane's penalty enough for Raymond Domenech's side.
The Germany-Italy semi-final was a match that would live long in the memory, but the fare served up at The Allianz Arena was not even comparable.
A first half spot kick, won by Thierry Henry - converted by captain Zidane was all that separated the two sides after a largely drab affair which failed to spark into life at any stage - although France deserved their success.
It was France who forged the first opening of the evening inside the opening 60 seconds as Florent Malouda latched onto a long ball from the back, as he got the wrong-side of Miguel - but fortunately for the right back, he pulled his shot wide.
Portugal, though, were soon into their stride and Deco was testing Fabien Barthez just minutes later with a low drive from the edge of the box.
Barthez was not able to get near Portugal's next effort, as Maniche flashed one from 30 yards - although the French number one was relieved to see the ball skim the crossbar and go over.
Zidane was soon trying to work his magic and he combined with Franck Ribery to find Eric Abidal in oceans of space on the left and he played a superb ball into the six-yard box - only for no French striker to react when any contact would surely have resulted in a goal.
Still Portugal were creating more chances and they were almost shooting at will, as Luis Figo took his turn to test Barthez from distance.
France were concentrating their efforts down the flanks, mainly down the left, but they were slow in getting men in the box and Henry had too few options when he worked his way into the area and all he could muster was a weak effort at Ricardo.
Portugal failed to heed their warning over Henry as just moments later, he picked up the ball on the edge of the box from a nice Malouda pass.
He took it past Ricardo Carvalho - whose trailing leg caught the Arsenal star - and he did not need asking twice to go over and referee Jorge Larrionda pointed to the spot.
Zidane was given the task and he fired into the corner past Ricardo - only the second goal the Portuguese keeper has conceded in Germany.
Portugal continued their policy of shooting from range and Maniche had another crack at beating Barthez.
Then Cristiano Ronaldo - jeered all evening by the majority of the crowd - went down in the area as Luis Figo crossed, the Portuguese were incensed but Larrionda was unmoved and the booing for the Manchester United man only intensified, as replays showed he actually dived.
Ronaldo, to his credit, did not let the crowd detract from his performance and he was the most positive Portuguese player in the opening half and was unlucky, as his marauding run and shot was deflected over the bar just before the interval.
Henry almost doubled his tally and France's advantage just after the interval. He broke and like much of the game he was isolated, so he took on Fernando Meira - beat him and fired at Ricardo's near post, but somehow the ball stayed out as the keeper got his hand to the ball and it spun underneath him and wide.
Ricardo was then producing theatrics, as he palmed a fairly tame Ribery shot into the air and only just managed to claim the ball as it dropped.
Portugal were struggling to produce anything of much note, but suddenly the hugely anonymous Pauleta turned and shot in the area and it rattled the side-netting.
This seemed to spark the Portuguese fans into life, but Luiz Felipe Scolari's side were unable to match their supporters' spirit.
Simao Sabrosa's introduction with 20 minutes left had a positive effect on Portugal and they were now pushing hard - although still without any sign of a goal, so Helder Postiga was thrown on by Scolari.
A horrendous error from Barthez almost handed Portugal a lifeline, but captain Luis Figo failed to take it.
Ronaldo unleashed a free kick from 30 yards straight at the French shot-stopper - he spilled the ball high and into the path of the on-rushing Portuguese attackers and Figo was best placed, but he somehow headed over the crossbar from six yards.
A pulsating final ten minutes never materialised, as France merely defended deeply and soaked up whatever Portugal had to offer - which was very little, indeed France on the break with substitute Slyvain Wiltord's fresh legs looked the more likely side to score.
The inevitable last minute pressing did arrive from Portugal, as keeper Ricardo even made his way up the field - but it was far too little, far too late for Scolari and his men.
France and Italy will now face each other in the final for what promises to be a titanic battle on Sunday in Berlin.
The two have never met in the world final before, but they did clash at that stage in Euro 2004 - where France took the win thanks to a golden-goal strike from David Trezeguet.
The Germany-Italy semi-final was a match that would live long in the memory, but the fare served up at The Allianz Arena was not even comparable.
A first half spot kick, won by Thierry Henry - converted by captain Zidane was all that separated the two sides after a largely drab affair which failed to spark into life at any stage - although France deserved their success.
It was France who forged the first opening of the evening inside the opening 60 seconds as Florent Malouda latched onto a long ball from the back, as he got the wrong-side of Miguel - but fortunately for the right back, he pulled his shot wide.
Portugal, though, were soon into their stride and Deco was testing Fabien Barthez just minutes later with a low drive from the edge of the box.
Barthez was not able to get near Portugal's next effort, as Maniche flashed one from 30 yards - although the French number one was relieved to see the ball skim the crossbar and go over.
Zidane was soon trying to work his magic and he combined with Franck Ribery to find Eric Abidal in oceans of space on the left and he played a superb ball into the six-yard box - only for no French striker to react when any contact would surely have resulted in a goal.
Still Portugal were creating more chances and they were almost shooting at will, as Luis Figo took his turn to test Barthez from distance.
France were concentrating their efforts down the flanks, mainly down the left, but they were slow in getting men in the box and Henry had too few options when he worked his way into the area and all he could muster was a weak effort at Ricardo.
Portugal failed to heed their warning over Henry as just moments later, he picked up the ball on the edge of the box from a nice Malouda pass.
He took it past Ricardo Carvalho - whose trailing leg caught the Arsenal star - and he did not need asking twice to go over and referee Jorge Larrionda pointed to the spot.
Zidane was given the task and he fired into the corner past Ricardo - only the second goal the Portuguese keeper has conceded in Germany.
Portugal continued their policy of shooting from range and Maniche had another crack at beating Barthez.
Then Cristiano Ronaldo - jeered all evening by the majority of the crowd - went down in the area as Luis Figo crossed, the Portuguese were incensed but Larrionda was unmoved and the booing for the Manchester United man only intensified, as replays showed he actually dived.
Ronaldo, to his credit, did not let the crowd detract from his performance and he was the most positive Portuguese player in the opening half and was unlucky, as his marauding run and shot was deflected over the bar just before the interval.
Henry almost doubled his tally and France's advantage just after the interval. He broke and like much of the game he was isolated, so he took on Fernando Meira - beat him and fired at Ricardo's near post, but somehow the ball stayed out as the keeper got his hand to the ball and it spun underneath him and wide.
Ricardo was then producing theatrics, as he palmed a fairly tame Ribery shot into the air and only just managed to claim the ball as it dropped.
Portugal were struggling to produce anything of much note, but suddenly the hugely anonymous Pauleta turned and shot in the area and it rattled the side-netting.
This seemed to spark the Portuguese fans into life, but Luiz Felipe Scolari's side were unable to match their supporters' spirit.
Simao Sabrosa's introduction with 20 minutes left had a positive effect on Portugal and they were now pushing hard - although still without any sign of a goal, so Helder Postiga was thrown on by Scolari.
A horrendous error from Barthez almost handed Portugal a lifeline, but captain Luis Figo failed to take it.
Ronaldo unleashed a free kick from 30 yards straight at the French shot-stopper - he spilled the ball high and into the path of the on-rushing Portuguese attackers and Figo was best placed, but he somehow headed over the crossbar from six yards.
A pulsating final ten minutes never materialised, as France merely defended deeply and soaked up whatever Portugal had to offer - which was very little, indeed France on the break with substitute Slyvain Wiltord's fresh legs looked the more likely side to score.
The inevitable last minute pressing did arrive from Portugal, as keeper Ricardo even made his way up the field - but it was far too little, far too late for Scolari and his men.
France and Italy will now face each other in the final for what promises to be a titanic battle on Sunday in Berlin.
The two have never met in the world final before, but they did clash at that stage in Euro 2004 - where France took the win thanks to a golden-goal strike from David Trezeguet.
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