2006 FIFA World Cup Coverage

Penalty kick puts France into Cup final

FRANCE 1, ITALY 0: Zinedine Zidane converts in the first half as the 1998 champs keep surprising.

By TIMES WIRES
Published July 6, 2006

MUNICH - History uncannily repeated Wednesday as France defeated Portugal 1-0 on a penalty kick by Zinedine Zidane to make the World Cup final for the second time in a decade.

Six years ago, France beat Portugal 1-0 in the semifinals of the European Championships, also on a penalty kick by Zidane. The memory of that call still rankles Portugal. But despite an energetic effort by strikers Luis Figo and Cristiano Ronaldo, it could not penetrate France's swarming defense.

For Zidane, France's captain, the fairy tale has one more chapter: Sunday against Italy, which beat Germany 2-0 in overtime Tuesday.

"It won't be easy," said Zidane, who came out of retirement from international competition. "But we have the weapons to do it, and we have the will to do it."

After winning the World Cup in 1998, France went scoreless and was eliminated in the first round in 2002. Before this tournament, it was derided as an over-the-hill gang with no prospects.

And the critics appeared right after France opened with a scoreless tie against Switzerland and tied South Korea at 1. But it sneaked into the second round and has emerged as the surprise of the tournament.

"If we win, it will be wonderful for those who have supported us," Zidane said. "I'm not talking about the ones who jumped on the bandwagon, but those who supported us from start to finish."

France rolled past Spain 3-1 in the Round of 16, and Zidane's mesmerizing play help beat Cup favorite Brazil 1-0 in the quarterfinals, conjuring memories of 1998, when France beat Brazil in the final in Paris.

"Our team is a true team," French coach Raymond Domenech said. "It's not individuals. Everybody does it together, and everybody is able to sacrifice themselves."

This game was not as pretty, with the wear and tear of a monthlong tournament showing on each team.

"We had a penalty against us," Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said. "We're not going to forget that."

The first half seesawed, with both teams moving the ball but neither dominating. Figo and Ronaldo led chances but also embellished their reputation for onfield theatrics.

In the 17th minute, Figo's shot was easily stopped by Fabien Barthez. After colliding with Patrick Vieira, Figo curled up on the grass, grimacing. A stretcher was summoned, and he was carried off the field, apparently injured. Seconds later, he bounded back into action.

In the 30th minute, Ronaldo tumbled spectacularly after running past defender Eric Abidal. No foul was called.

About three minutes later, Henry tumbled in Portugal's penalty area as he advanced on defender Ricardo Carvalho. Carvalho's left foot appeared to touch Henry's left ankle, and as Carvalho fell, he waved his finger plaintively at the referee, hoping to avoid a whistle.

A penalty was called, and Zidane faced Ricardo. Zidane sent it low and to the left. Ricardo guessed correctly, but the ball slipped past his fingertips and in.

Just three minutes after Zidane scored, Portugal's players and Scolari were livid that Uruguayan referee Jorge Larrionda didn't award them a penalty in return. Ronaldo went down in the other penalty area trying to reach a cross, claiming he was pushed by Willy Sagnol.

A yellow water bottle was kicked onto the field from Portugal's bench when no call was made.

"He was right when he called the penalty on the French player but was wrong when he did not call it on Cristiano," Scolari said.

After the final whistle, Figo, Portugal's captain, walked over to the referee, spoke with him then gave him mock applause.

"Anyone who understands soccer saw that the referee wasn't fair," Ronaldo said.

Scolari, who spent much of the game in front of his bench and throwing his arms up in frustration, wagged a finger at the officials as they walked off and was blocked from getting close to them by a FIFA official.

Portugal had several chances in the second half, none better than in the 77th minute, when Ronaldo was tripped just outside the box and awarded a free kick. Barthez stopped the shot, but his flailing arms could not control the ball, which floated in front of the open net. But Figo headed the rebound above the cross bar.

"Our players have been marvelous," Scolari said. "I have to thank my players for their effort."

[Last modified July 6, 2006, 06:01:05]