Zizou penalty puts France in final
Zizou penalty puts France in final
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Wednesday, 05, Jul 2006 10:14
Zinedine Zidane's first-half penalty was enough to give France a place in the World Cup final after a 1-0 win over Portugal in Munich.
The 1998 champions will now face Italy in Berlin on Sunday, while a disappointing Portuguese side will face the hosts Germany in the third and fourth place play-off.
If the fans thought it would be an edgy semi-final, this idea was soon dispelled as both sides had good chances in the opening minutes.
Two minutes were on the clock as France's Florent Malouda got on the end of a long ball but he dragged his shot across Ricardo and wide.
Then on four minutes, Deco's 20-yard shot was palmed away by Fabien Barthez and Pauleta couldn't reach the rebound.
Maniche drilled just over the bar on ten minutes and Portugal were in the ascendancy in the early stages.
However, it was France who took the lead 12 minutes before the break from the penalty spot.
Thierry Henry broke into the box and his sharp turn was too much for Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho, who clipped his leg and the referee awarded the penalty.
Ricardo had saved three against England on Saturday and while he got his hand to it, Zidane's penalty was too good.
The Portuguese were incensed four minutes later as they looked for a penalty of their own.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who was booed all night, went down in the area but there was minimal contact with Willy Sagnol and Jorge Larrionda rightly waved it away.
France came out the stronger in the second-half and Henry and Franck Ribery forced saves from Ricardo in the first five minutes.
Pauleta had the crowd on their feet on 53 minutes as his turn and shot had the net bulging but it was the wrong side for Luiz Felipe Scolari's side.
A French counter-attack moments later almost created a chance for Henry but Zidane's touch was too heavy and the ball ran away for a goal kick.
France retracted further back as the half progressed but Portugal were unable to find a way through.
Substitute Louis Saha was booked, meaning he will now miss the final, but France held on to reach their second final in eight years.