| EFE |
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| Zinedine Zidane |
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The experienced and savvy French ousted the five-time World Cup champions 1-0 in a stunningly one-sided quarterfinal game. Tacked onto France's 3-0 victory in the 1998 title match, the last time Brazil lost a World Cup match, it's clear the Brazilians have a nemesis at soccer's highest level.
The heroes were familiar as well. Zinedine Zidane, headed into retirement after the tournament, served a perfect free kick to an unmarked Thierry Henry in the 57th minute. Completely unmarked, Henry had the whole right side of the net and smashed in a right-footed volley.
Zidane scored two goals in the World Cup championship win eight years ago.
It was a shocking exit for Brazil, the pretournament favorite. The Brazilians did not get a shot on goal in the opening half and had huge gaps in the defense all night. Such stars as Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Cafu were either invisible or inept.
France began the tournament so poorly it appeared headed for a first-round exit like four years ago. Instead, it heads to the semifinals against Portugal on Wednesday in Munich.
With Germany playing Italy in the other semifinal, it will be the first all-European final four since 1982.
Lineups:
Brazil: Dida; Cafú (Cicinho, m.76), Lúcio, Juan, Roberto Carlos; Gilberto Silva, Zé Roberto, Kaká (Robinho, m.78), Juninho Pernambucano (Adriano, m.63); Ronaldinho Gaúcho and Ronaldo.
Coach: Carlos Alberto Parreira.
France: Fabien Barthez; Willy Sagnol, Lilian Thuram, William Gallas, Eric Abidal; Claude Makelele, Patrick Vieira; Frank Ribéry (Sidney Govou, m.77), Zinedine Zidane, Florent Malouda (Sylvain Wiltord, m.80); and Thierry Henry (Louis Saha, m.85).Coach: Raymond Domenech.
Goals: 0-1, m.57: Henry
Referee: Luis Medina Cantalejo (Spa).
Bookings: Cafú, Juan, Ronaldo, Sagnol, Lúcio, Saha, Thuram.
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