| EFE |
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| France celebrates. |
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Zidane took the freekick that made the difference in the 83rd minute of France's 3-1 victory Tuesday. It curled into the goalmouth, where it eventually found an onrushing Patrick Vieira, who headed it off the body of Spain's Sergio Ramos and into the net.
A few minutes later Zidane scored a goal of his own to cement France's trip place in the quarterfinals.
Spain first got its hopes up in 28th minute, when Lilian Thuram stepped on the foot of Pablo Ibanez in the penalty area, giving referee Christiano Copelli no option but to point to the spot. Valencia's David Villa slotted it perfectly, low in the left corner just out of the reach of Fabien Barthez.
The game turned France's way in the 41st minute.
Vieira sent a lightning-quick Frank Ribery into open space with a pass, and the Marseille winger swept the ball past Iker Casillas with his right foot and slotted it home with his left, just ahead of two onrushing defenders.
There would always be an edge to this old rivalry between neighbors. France had never lost a competitive match to Spain and Tuesday even marked the 22nd anniversary of its 2-0 defeat of Spain to win its first European championship in 1984.
The early nervousness at the 43,000 sellout stadium showed what was at stake. France wanted to prove the aging stars who claimed the trophy in 1998 could still win and Spain is looking to end 76 years of World Cup futility.
Zidane, desperately playing against time, made the difference in midfield with several slick moves, still as good as a decade back. With vision and precision, he set Thierry Henry free on the right, and his low cross was inexplicably missed by both Ribery and Vieira.
The former Real Madrid star, who is retiring after this World Cup, still weaved his old magic, with his unique mix of apparent nonchalence and lethal passing.
Spain (1): Iker Casillas; Sergio Ramos, Pablo, Puyol, Pernía; Xabi Alonso, Xavi (Senna, min.70), Cesc Fábregas; Raúl (Luis García, min.54), Fernando Torres and Villa (Joaquín, min. 54)
Coach: Luis Aragonés.
France (3): Barthez; Sagnol, Thuram, Gallas, Abidal; Makelele, Vieira; Ribéry, Zidane, Malouda (Govou, min. 74); and Henry (Wiltord, min. 87).Coach: Raymond Domenech.
Goals: 1-0 Min. 28. Villa, 1-1. Min. 41. Ribéry, 1-2. Min. 83. Vieira. 1-3. Min. 90. Zidane.
Referee: Roberto Rosetti (Ita)
Bookings: Vieira (67'), Ribéry (82'), Zidane (89') for France, and Puyol (81') for Spain.
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