Brazilians upstaged by superb France

A Zinedine Zidane inspired France has bundled reigning champions Brazil out of the World Cup following a 1-0 win in Frankfurt, continuing the Selecao’s poor record at European hosted tournaments.

Thierry Henry’s 57th minute goal proved decisive as the superstar Arsenal attacker coolly finished a free kick by French maestro Zinedine Zidane.

Unmarked at the back post, Henry was two metres free from his nearest Brazilian defender before he volleyed the ball past a flat footed Dida, causing the five time champions to rue their lack of urgency at the back.

Henry’s goal followed a period of sustained domination by the far superior French, who were able to dispel pre-game controversy surrounding racial comments made by a prominant French politician.

The two time European champions fluent movements through midfield caught a lacklustre Brazilian side who struggled to keep pace with Les Bleus frenetic tempo wanting.

Compounded by the obvious lack of fitness of AC Milan superstar Kaka, who suffered from an apparent knee complaint, and a decidedly uninspired performance by Ronaldinho, the stagnant Brazilians were a shadow of the team whose performances captivated the globe at last year’s Confederations Cup.

This vindicated claims by Pele that the side were not a match for their famed 1970 side, following the numerous comparisons made between the two line-ups.

France now takes on Portugal, a repeat of their fiery 2000 European Championships semi final clash, to decide who will compete for the right to win the Jules Rimet Trophy.

The tournament’s raging favourites seemed the more menacing of the two sides early with a deft touch from Ronaldo all that was needed to send them into the lead following a cross by Ronaldinho after 14 minutes.

However, the 1998 Champions soon gained control of the contest with the midfield combination of Zidane and Patrick Vieira, along with left sided player Florent Malouda, stretching Brazil at the back, allowing the French to enter the break with the obvious ascendency.

Commencing the second half as they completed the first, after solely 40 seconds of play, the French went agonisingly close to taking the lead when Vieira nodded a free-kick just wide of the goal.

After Henry had a goal ruled out for off-side in the 53rd minute, the French superstar silenced critics of his side and laid aside a week of controversy as he volleyed home the eventual winner.

Despite their lead, Les Bleus continued their offensive with Juan almost deflecting a cross by a rather subdued Frank Ribery wide of the goal.

Following the substitution of surprise starter Juninho Pernambucano for Adriano, the Brazilians, fielding a 4-2-4 formation searched frantically for the equaliser, but a resolute French defence marshalled by the aging Lilian Thuram held the side at bay.

However, after Thuram felled Ronaldo, in what is most likely the legend’s last World Cup appearance, on the edge of the area, Ronaldinho was gifted a free-kick from a gilt edged position, only for the ever smiling superstar to send it wide as Brazil were knocked out in their worst World Cup performance since 1990.

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