2006 FIFA World Cup Coverage

France rallies to oust Spain

By TIMES WIRES
Published June 28, 2006

HANOVER, Germany - Zinedine Zidane sent in a late free kick that Patrick Vieira headed off a defender to break a tie Tuesday. Then the retiring captain sealed France's 3-1 win over Spain with a goal of his own.

In the 83rd minute, Zidane's free kick curled into the goalmouth and found Vieira, who headed it off Sergio Ramos and in. Minutes later, Zidane made a run into the penalty area, cut inside one defender and beat keeper Iker Casillas.

France's recovery seemed impossible as little as a week ago, when Zidane was serving a suspension for too many yellow cards and the French struggled to score.

"The adventure continues," he said. "We didn't want it to stop."

Spain, which has never reached the final in 12 appearances, took the lead in 28th, when Pablo Ibanez was fouled in the box. David Villa hit the penalty kick low in the left corner.

France answered in the 41st. Vieira sent Frank Ribery into open space with a pass, and the wing swept the ball past the keeper with his right foot and put it into an empty net.

"We were all convinced that this would be the World Cup when we would make it," Spanish striker Raul Gonzalez said. "But the moment of truth was today. And yet again we're disappointed."

Brazil 3, Ghana 0

Brazil ended Ghana's run in Dortmund. But Brazil had to work for its 11th consecutive Cup win.

"The result doesn't show. It was not an easy game at all," Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said. "The first half, they did well. They should have scored."

On a counter in the fifth, Kaka sent a long pass to an unmarked Ronaldo. He touched the ball toward keeper Richard Kingson, sent him flailing with a step-over and put the ball into the empty net.

But Ghana, trying to join Senegal in 2002 and Cameroon in 1990 as the only African quarterfinalists, pressured Brazil. And it ended up outshooting the Brazilians 25-21.

In the 42nd, John Mensah had a close-range header, but Dida made a right-leg save.

One minute into first-half injury time, Adriano used his left thigh to nudge a waist-high cross from Cafu into the net. Replays showed Adriano appeared to be offside, and fans booed the replay.

And in the 84th, Ze Roberto received a long pass and flicked the ball over the keeper, who left his box and tried to make a save with his head. Safely past, Ze Roberto jogged the ball in alone.

"We have to keep our heads up," Ghana midfielder Sulley Muntari said. "We played good, and we didn't disgrace ourselves. I think people in Africa are proud of the way we played."

[Last modified June 28, 2006, 06:34:07]