France have put their slow start to the World Cup on the backburner and have fixed their sights firmly on a second final after outclassing defending champions Brazil.
Powered by tireless captain Zinedine Zidane, France recorded a 1-0 win over a lacklustre Brazilian team thanks to a sumptuous 57th-minute Thierry Henry volley, and will meet Portugal — who they beat in the Euro 2000 semifinal on the way to winning the title — in the semifinal in Munich on Wednesday.
The victory follows a 3-1 second-round thumping of Spain, performances which many critics dared not predict after the team’s two stale draws in its opening pool matches.
”We deserve our victory,” said the 34-year-old Zidane, whose outstanding individual performance followed his two-goal showing in the 3-0 1998 World Cup final win over Brazil.
”Now we will try and get into the final as we do not want it to end here. It is so wonderful that we want to carry on.”
Much-maligned France coach Raymond Domenech had a word of warning about a Portugal side that beat England 3-1 on penalties after extra-time finished scoreless in their quarterfinal.
”The Portuguese will not be easy to get past,” he said. ”But I am looking forward to meeting them. We are in the semis and we must savour the moment. These are great moments.”
Henry said that the win more than made up for the disastrous defence of their title in 2002 when they bowed out in the first round and he was sent-off in the 25th minute of the second match against Uruguay.
”I said before that we were not here to dream, but tonight is what dreams are made of,” said the 28-year-old Arsenal striker.
”We were determined after the 2002 World Cup to show that we were not soft touches. And now there is the answer we are not soft touches. And it is not finished.”
Fellow veteran Patrick Vieira admitted that constant carping back home over the apparent decline of his generation of 1998 stars had hurt, which often led to home fans’ booing and whistling both the side and Domenech.
”I have nothing left to prove but the criticism hurts,” he said.
Domenech added: ”I am exhausted but delighted. The oldies are still here.”
Brazilian coach Carlos Alberto Parreira saw his dreams of a second world title — and a record sixth for the national team — shattered and he blamed it on fundamental errors.
”We made some silly mistakes and that cost us,” said the 63-year-old 1994 title winner.
”We had not expected to go out so early. Henry and Zidane were very dangerous,” he added glumly. — AFP
