France 1 Brazil 0

[tricky_colour]

So we are no better than Brazil then I guess
Mind you, we were not out played as Brazil were.
Hope for the future?

[Closed Account 2]

France, on their day are a very good side. Zidane was out of this world against Brazil. He was pulling all the strings and made Brazil look like a team of pub players.

Vieira and Makalele were also on top form. Vieira was back to his late 1990s form, making surging runs forward and winning the ball on countless occasions. Thuram was immense too, picking the Brazilian forwards pockets every time. Ribery and Henry were brilliant running down the wing (esp. when Ribery turned Lucio and smashed a cross along the ground which the Brazilians nearly put in their own net).

When it clicks for France, it really clicks. All those world class players are having one last shot at the big one.

If they can play like that in the next 2 matches, then their name is on the trophy.

[Frank Blue]

A France-Germany final could be a real cracker.

[TheOwl]

Paris understandably went mental last night. I can still hear kids outside my flat singing "Allez Les Blues" (they need a new song mind). I think the knockout stage has proved that France are a big game team. It is no surprise that they have played better when they have been faced with another team that has gone out and tried to win the game as opposed to a team that was just happy to sit back and maybe nick something on the break.

Zidane has been great these last few games, Sagnol has been the best right back in the tournament, the centre-backs are immense, Henry is arguably the best striker in the world, but for my money it has been Viera that has really stood out. Even in the group stages when the rest were struggling he was keeping France together. My player of the tournament so far!

[CollegeTillIDie]

No South American team has won a World Cup held in Europe since 1958 nor will they till at least 2014 at this stage, given 2010 will be held in South Africa.

[pete]

Zidane was amazing last night. France can win the world cup if play like that every game but juries our whether they can do that...

[TheOwl]

No South American team has won a World Cup held in Europe since 1958 nor will they till at least 2014 at this stage, given 2010 will be held in South Africa.

And no European team has ever won a World Cup outside of Europe!

[thejollyrodger]

im really disapointed to see France win. The public have no intrest in football and most people dont even bother to go to the games. Stade de France is usually empty.

[shakermaker1982]

Zidane was immense, how I wish I could play like that!!! Makelele and Viera were also world class last night and it was the best game of the tournament so far.

[LeixlipRed]

im really disapointed to see France win. The public have no intrest in football and most people dont even bother to go to the games. Stade de France is usually empty.

Ridiculous summation of French football. You havent a clue

[CollegeTillIDie]

I am fed up with sh1t defending teams being lauded. Brazil lost because Ronaldinho and Ronaldo are lazy not tracking back players; their backs cannot defend.... simple really .

[Marked Man]

Game of the tournament. Zidane and Riberey were excellent.

While the goal was a defensive error, I'm not sure that Brazil are that bad at the back. That was only their second goal conceded in the tournament after all.

[Karlos]

Zidane has been great these last few games, Sagnol has been the best right back in the tournament, the centre-backs are immense, Henry is arguably the best striker in the world, but for my money it has been Viera that has really stood out. Even in the group stages when the rest were struggling he was keeping France together. My player of the tournament so far!

Possibly the best post I've read in ages. Agree with everything you have said here. Sagnol has been immence and I agree the most solid right back in the tournament. Vieira has also been awesome for France, infact pivotal to their run so far.. Shame on anybody who honestly believed he had become a bad player overnight. Some tv 'experts' have been really shown up during this tournament by alot of players who they had written off without a moments thought.

[pineapple stu]

Game of the tournament.

the best game of the tournament so far.

Doesn't say much for the tournament then. I didn't think the game was up to much - Brazil were very poor, France not a huge amount better. Zidane was superb, but there was a distinct lack of anything happening in the game. Henry and Ronaldinho were irritatingly anonymous. Brazil had one shot on target in the entire game, according to livescore The game failed miserably to live up to expectations, in my opinion. What happened to end-to-end action?

[Reality Bites]

What Planet are u on Stu?

[shakermaker1982]

I thought it was a joy to watch, passing into feet and very few long balls. Both teams went out and attacked for 90 mins, none of this 10 men behind the ball rubbish. Put on England -Ecuador to see how not to play football or any England game for that matter.

[Dodge]

Zidane was amazing last night

Fully endorsed. All lovers of football could only rejoice in the greatman's best performance in about 5 years.

Was nowhere near the game of the tournament (Argentina v Mexico)

[pineapple stu]

Both teams went out and attacked for 90 mins, none of this 10 men behind the ball rubbish.

And managed five shots on target between them?

Put on England-Ecuador to see how not to play football or any England game for that matter.

I never compared it to any England game. Truly shocking rubbish. However, I was far more entertained by the Cork-UCD game than I was by France-Brazil. It had actual goal-mouth action, for one.

France-Spain was far better than France-Brazil. Fell asleep during Argentina-Mexico 'cos I was after coming back off a transatlantic flight, but what I saw of it was far better than France-Brazil. Then there was Argentina-Serbia & Montenegro, Australia v Croatia, etc, etc.

[Roadend]

And managed five shots on target between them?

France-Spain was far better than France-Brazil.

That's just taking the michael. France-Spain was a dull dull affair.

[drummerboy]

Really enjoyed game on Saturday night. Zidane was a joy to watch. The guy is on fire and I'm delighted for him. He is a breath of fresh after watching the likes of the much lauded Beckham, Lumpard and Gerrard. The French look the real deal. The best defence in the tournament and they entire team are working hard for each other.