Zidane inspires France to stunning Brazil win
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France dumped Brazil out of the World Cup last night after an inspirational performance from veteran Zinedine Zidane.
France were the better side in the first half, but failed to create clear chances to trouble Dida.
That changed just before the hour when Zidane swept a free-kick to the far post where it was sumptuously volleyed past the Brazilian goalkeeper by Thierry Henry.
Fabien Barthez denied Ronaldo late on to set up a semi-final with Portugal.
Prior to that save Barthez had flapped on a couple of occasions, but it was a mark of Brazil's lacklustre play that Ronaldo's shot came in stoppage time.
Zidane said afterwards: "We needed a great match and we delivered. We knew we would have to be fit physically and we were.
"We fought closely together for a well-deserved victory. Now we'll try to win a place in the final.
"This is so beautiful, we want it to carry on," added Zidane, who retires after the World Cup.
Coach Raymond Domenech, whose side now play Portugal in the semi-finals, was equally eloquent as he reflected on France's third World Cup victory over Brazil in four encounters.
"It was extraordinary. Sometimes there aren't any words to describe what you're experiencing. I tackled with them, I shot with them. The old men are still around.
"Portugal won't be easy but for the moment, let me enjoy this. There's only football to offer you great moments like this."
Goalscorer Henry believed France had out-thought holders Brazil.
"We played well. We didn't steal anything from anybody. We had a tactical plan and it worked perfectly," he said.
"We wanted to prove after what happened in 2002 that we were not rubbish," he added, referring to France's early exit four years ago.
France were the better side in the first half, but failed to create clear chances to trouble Dida.
That changed just before the hour when Zidane swept a free-kick to the far post where it was sumptuously volleyed past the Brazilian goalkeeper by Thierry Henry.
Fabien Barthez denied Ronaldo late on to set up a semi-final with Portugal.
Prior to that save Barthez had flapped on a couple of occasions, but it was a mark of Brazil's lacklustre play that Ronaldo's shot came in stoppage time.
Zidane said afterwards: "We needed a great match and we delivered. We knew we would have to be fit physically and we were.
"We fought closely together for a well-deserved victory. Now we'll try to win a place in the final.
"This is so beautiful, we want it to carry on," added Zidane, who retires after the World Cup.
Coach Raymond Domenech, whose side now play Portugal in the semi-finals, was equally eloquent as he reflected on France's third World Cup victory over Brazil in four encounters.
"It was extraordinary. Sometimes there aren't any words to describe what you're experiencing. I tackled with them, I shot with them. The old men are still around.
"Portugal won't be easy but for the moment, let me enjoy this. There's only football to offer you great moments like this."
Goalscorer Henry believed France had out-thought holders Brazil.
"We played well. We didn't steal anything from anybody. We had a tactical plan and it worked perfectly," he said.
"We wanted to prove after what happened in 2002 that we were not rubbish," he added, referring to France's early exit four years ago.
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