World Cup 2006: Our “sooooo-old-French-players” have just won against the favorite team, Brazil.

What for a great match, after having won against Spain on Tuesday :-) What is also just crazy is that the Brazilians had just one shot on goal during the whole game.

And what for a game for Zidane :-)

[via forbes.com]

In front of France President Jacques Chirac, the French made Brazil look so ordinary – at times amateurish – that the yellow-clad Brazilians in the crowd even were whistling at their team late in the match.

[via worldsoccer.com]

Ronaldo had a couple of fierce shots that Barthez managed to deny, but overall, the attacking quartet of Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Kaka and Adriano simply had not functioned and on the night the French, and in particular the imperious Zidane, fully deserved their win.

The favourites are out, but they can have few complaints about their exit. They had struggled to justify their status as favourites from the moment they began the tournament and the lingering suspicion that the team were not as good as their individual reputations, looks fully justified.

For France, the dream continues, and on this form, they must fancy their chances of emulating their 1998 success. Such a thought seemed unlikely two weeks ago, but one can only marvel at their current renaissance.

[via cbc.ca]

France’s victory also keeps alive the career of Zinedine Zidane, who was sensational against Brazil with his magical play in midfield. Considered one of the greatest players of his era, the midfield maestro plans to retire at the end of the World Cup.