France overcame the odds as they beat off a strong challenge from Spain to make the quarterfinals with a 3-1 victory in Hanover.
With the game seemingly stacked against Les Bleus after them going behind early in the game the 1998 Champions fought back to take a dramatic 2-1 lead in the second half courtesy of goals from Ribery and Vieira. The game was sealed by Zinedine Zidane slotted an accurate shot past Casillas after a weaving run to keep his dream of finals appearance going despite being written off numerous times.
Once more for Spain it was a dramatic defeat and that sinking feeling yet again for a country who have never really produced the goods at a major tournament. After an excellent start to the competition with a 4-0 win over Ukraine they leave behind what represents the best chance of victory since they hosted the tournament in 1982.
France started with an unchanged side from their first two group matches and welcomed back Zidane after suspension from the game against Togo in their final match. Spain made changes to the side which had started all three games in the tournament, the impressive Cesc Fabregas came in for Senna and Raul started up front instead of Luis Garcia.
Spain started the better and were seemingly living up to their tag as favourites heading into the game. The pace of the game however was slow which suited the aging French team and on twenty minutes they almost took the lead. Henry broke down the left before feeding the ball into the box, at the near post Ribery missed it but at the far Vieira arrived too late to get a meaningful touch on the ball.
Three minutes later though France found themselves behind after a careless challenge from Thuram in the area. David Villa who was fouled in the area found the bottom corner of the net with a well taken penalty and despite Barthez guessing correctly there was nothing he could do about the perfectly placed spot kick.
Just before half time however France fought back and began taking the game to their opponents. Despite the best efforts of Casillas and Puyol it was inevitable that France would score and after an excellent ball by Vieira, Ribery rounded the keeper and slotted home into the empty net despite being driven wide.
The goal was all that France needed to give them some belief and it was enough to turn the match from one way traffic into an entertaining encounter. Ribery was clearly delighted with the goal as were the French staff who hurtled onto the pitch to celebrate with the scorer.
The second half began as a cagey affair as neither side wanted to give anything anyway but it was France who took the initiative and created the better of the chances. Zidane was now a man on a mission as he bided to keep his football career going by helping his nation to victory and after setting Malouda up his intentions were well known. The midfielder strike however was equaled by a diving save from Casillas who made sure that France knew he would be the man to beat if they wanted to progress any further.
Spain did however still create the odd chance despite France’s dominance and Luis Garcia came closest of all to finding the back of the net for his country. Good play from Penia let him attack the ball in the area but his header was off target on this occasion.
Spain hoped that this would be their way back in the game and through Joaquin they nearly took the lead late in the game.
Cutting in from his wide position the midfielder slightly dragged his left foot shot wide of Barthez’s post from a tight angle.
Spain’s threat was almost immediately cut short by the French however and the next act of a Spanish player was to pick the ball out of the back of the net. Some good play let to a great cross from Zidane which bypassed a stationary defense before finding its way into the back of the net off the head of Patrick Vieira.
The tall midfielder who had been part of the reason for France’s transfer of form was able to stretch his neck muscles onto a high ball played in and it was seemingly enough to give France the victory.
Seemingly not satisfied with his outstanding contributions to the game so far Zinedine Zidane rounded off the game with a fine individual piece of skill o give France a 3-1 win and a place in a quarter final against Brazil. The 35 year old superstar weaved past Puyol before sending Casillas the wrong way and dumping Spain out of World Cup 2006.
With the game seemingly stacked against Les Bleus after them going behind early in the game the 1998 Champions fought back to take a dramatic 2-1 lead in the second half courtesy of goals from Ribery and Vieira. The game was sealed by Zinedine Zidane slotted an accurate shot past Casillas after a weaving run to keep his dream of finals appearance going despite being written off numerous times.
Once more for Spain it was a dramatic defeat and that sinking feeling yet again for a country who have never really produced the goods at a major tournament. After an excellent start to the competition with a 4-0 win over Ukraine they leave behind what represents the best chance of victory since they hosted the tournament in 1982.
France started with an unchanged side from their first two group matches and welcomed back Zidane after suspension from the game against Togo in their final match. Spain made changes to the side which had started all three games in the tournament, the impressive Cesc Fabregas came in for Senna and Raul started up front instead of Luis Garcia.
Spain started the better and were seemingly living up to their tag as favourites heading into the game. The pace of the game however was slow which suited the aging French team and on twenty minutes they almost took the lead. Henry broke down the left before feeding the ball into the box, at the near post Ribery missed it but at the far Vieira arrived too late to get a meaningful touch on the ball.
Three minutes later though France found themselves behind after a careless challenge from Thuram in the area. David Villa who was fouled in the area found the bottom corner of the net with a well taken penalty and despite Barthez guessing correctly there was nothing he could do about the perfectly placed spot kick.
Just before half time however France fought back and began taking the game to their opponents. Despite the best efforts of Casillas and Puyol it was inevitable that France would score and after an excellent ball by Vieira, Ribery rounded the keeper and slotted home into the empty net despite being driven wide.
The goal was all that France needed to give them some belief and it was enough to turn the match from one way traffic into an entertaining encounter. Ribery was clearly delighted with the goal as were the French staff who hurtled onto the pitch to celebrate with the scorer.
The second half began as a cagey affair as neither side wanted to give anything anyway but it was France who took the initiative and created the better of the chances. Zidane was now a man on a mission as he bided to keep his football career going by helping his nation to victory and after setting Malouda up his intentions were well known. The midfielder strike however was equaled by a diving save from Casillas who made sure that France knew he would be the man to beat if they wanted to progress any further.
Spain did however still create the odd chance despite France’s dominance and Luis Garcia came closest of all to finding the back of the net for his country. Good play from Penia let him attack the ball in the area but his header was off target on this occasion.
Spain hoped that this would be their way back in the game and through Joaquin they nearly took the lead late in the game.
Cutting in from his wide position the midfielder slightly dragged his left foot shot wide of Barthez’s post from a tight angle.
Spain’s threat was almost immediately cut short by the French however and the next act of a Spanish player was to pick the ball out of the back of the net. Some good play let to a great cross from Zidane which bypassed a stationary defense before finding its way into the back of the net off the head of Patrick Vieira.
The tall midfielder who had been part of the reason for France’s transfer of form was able to stretch his neck muscles onto a high ball played in and it was seemingly enough to give France the victory.
Seemingly not satisfied with his outstanding contributions to the game so far Zinedine Zidane rounded off the game with a fine individual piece of skill o give France a 3-1 win and a place in a quarter final against Brazil. The 35 year old superstar weaved past Puyol before sending Casillas the wrong way and dumping Spain out of World Cup 2006.