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Special report: 2006 FIFA World Cup
MUNICH, July 5 (Xinhua) -- Thanks
to a half-hour penalty, France edged semifinal rivals Portugal 1-0 here on Wednesday to reach the World Cup final.
Les Bleus was awarded the penalty after Thierry Henry
was brought down by Ricardo Carvalho just inside the area in 32 minutes while
turning inside the box.
Zinedine Zidane took a two-step walk-up on the next
minute, while Portugal keeper Ricardo dived the correct way to his right, got a
hand to it, but failed to keep it out.
More Photos>>
It will be France's second ever appearance in a World Cup final. The other was their famous 2-0 victory at home over Brazilin 1998.
With just a few minutes to go, French fans in one
corner of the stadium started singing "La Marseillaise," the French anthem, and
followed with chants of "Allez Les Bleus!"
It also snapped a 19-match unbeaten run of Portugal,
led by Luis Felipe Scolari who had expected his 13th World Cup victory in
Wednesday's semifinal clash.
The Portuguese advanced to the World Cup semifinals
for just the second time, with the last time in 1966 when Eusebio and former
French captain Michel Platini were lined up.
Portugal came closest to scoring in the 78th minute,
when goalkeeper Fabien Barthez failed to hold a free kick by Cristiano Ronaldo
but Luis Figo headed the rebound over the bar. Goalkeeper Ricardo rushed into
the French half after three minute into the stoppage time, but helped little in
Portuguese attack.
France had more possessions in the opening minutes,
but it's Luis Felipe Scolari's side who turned out to be more dangerous in front
of the goalmouth.
Deco was set up by Ronaldo on the edge of the area in
just 4 minutes, and his shot forced a full stretch dive from Barthez to save.
Maniche also showed unprecedented prowess in
shooting, letting fly with a fierce drive which went narrowly over the bar after
nine minutes.
The Portuguese defence, however, suffered a slow and nervous start. Nuno Valente panicked at the back and conceded an unnecessary corner in 7 minutes. Zinedine Zidane launched the corner only to see it cleared by Maniche. Enditem
Zinedine Zidane (R) of France controls the ball against
Portugal's Deco during the semifinal of World Cup 2006 in Munich, Germany
on July 5, 2006. (Xinhua Photo) |
Thierry Henry (L) of France controls the ball for a pass
against Portugal's Deco during the semifinal of World Cup 2006 in Munich,
Germany on July 5, 2006. (Xinhua Photo) |
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