Spain vanquished as Zidane stars

France has secured a Quarter Final birth and France ‘98 final re-match with Brazil, following a comprehensive 3-1 win over perennial under achievers Spain.

Despite falling a goal behind early to a David Villa penalty, France defied its critics to get back on level terms through the mercurial Frank Ribery, before Patrick Vieira sent France into the lead when he headed home a Zidane cross in the 83rd minute.

Zinedine Zidane, playing under the knowledge that each game in the knockout stage could be the last of his professional career due to his impending retirement, completed the rout with a superb individual effort, confirming his side’s renaissance and reigniting France’s claims for a second World Cup crown.

Following a rather absent minded performance in the group stage, Les Bleus seemed intent in disproving the claims of their critics for their apparent defensive minded approach, in the game’s early stages, as they played a brand of fluent football which has not been seen since the heady days of late last decade.

In what could have possibly been his last professional football match, France’s midfield magician Zinedine Zidane, reminded football pundits and fans alike why he deserves to be considered the best footballer of the last decade, with his much renowned grace and finesse on the ball in full display.

The French were inches away from earning an early breakthrough after 23 minutes when Henry rampaged towards the by-line, before playing a low cross, which just evaded the boot of Patrick Viera, granting Spain a much needed lifeline.

However, as has so often been the case in the cruel world of football, when a team fail to capitalise on the chances, they generally fall behind, so despite their rather inauspicious start, it was the Spanish who earned the early lead when Pablo was felled in the area by a rather unnecessary and clumsy foul from Juventus defender Lilian Thuram.

Valencia’s David Villa took the resulting spot kick to secure his third goal of the tournament.

The goal ignited a Spanish charge as they dominated possession, sending France on the proverbial back foot, forcing them to utilise a counter attack approach to their play.

Although much maligned, the ploy proved a success when Ribery brought the French back on level terms in the 41st minute.

Patrick Vieira, who was France’s shining beacon through the half, provided the moment of inspiration when he played a brilliant through ball that cut the defence in two.

The Marseille rising star latched on to the pass and galloped towards goal, before displaying his much renowned penchant for flair on the football field as he rounded Iker Casillas and placed the ball into the back of a vacant net.

The exquisite passing of midfield paring Xavi and Xabi Alonso, combined with the guile of Cesc Fabregas, propelled Spain into a position of dominance early in the second half, though it was France who came closest to breaking the deadlock when a Florent Malouda chip was parried away.

Although not in the mould of Zidane, with the current dearth of talent in France’s youth system more than raising the ire of the side’s detractors, the probing and exciting Ribery, a surprise selection to Domenech’s squad, emerged as a potential heir apparent and superstar of the future.

With his enthusiastic play a feature, Ribery caused Spain much anguish as his deft runs and dangerous crosses kept Spain on edge.

Possessing a rather anonymous back line when compared to their star studded midfield, Spain made Arsenal legend Thierry Henry seem rather ineffective, as chances became scarce with the game seemingly destined for extra time.

However, in the 83rd minute, Thierry Henry was awarded a dubious foul, when he dropped to the ground after the referee adjudged Carlos Puyol to have infringed on the French wizard after the two made some rather innocuous contact.

Zidane took the resulting free-kick which was headed home by Vieira, following a deflection from Sergio Ramos, to dash Spanish hopes.

Deep in injury time, Zidane capped off an emphatic display and secured France a place in the Quarter Finals with a magnificent goal, as he rounded Barcelona defender Carlos Puyol, before firing past Casillas.

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