Brazil faces ghost of 1998 defeat by France

By Tony Czuczka Jun 30, 2006, 14:47 GMT

Berlin - It's Ronaldo vs. Zidane all over again, but Brazil insist they've put their 1998 final defeat by France behind them for their rematch Saturday in the World Cup quarter-finals.

Ronaldo, 29, and Zinedine Zidane, 34, have overcome slow starts to the World Cup and generated key goals for their teams, so the game in Frankfurt may turn on a stroke of brilliance by the old guard.

France captain Zidane staved off retirement with his team's 3-1 victory over Spain, eight years after he scored twice against an out- of-sorts Brazil to power France to a 3-0 victory and its only World Cup trophy.

Ronaldo was a shadow of himself in the 1998 final, having suffered a pre-match mystery illness described as convulsions. Initially taken off the line-up, he was restored just before the game but failed to make an impact.

'No, this is not about revenge,' Brazil captain Cafu said in the run-up to Saturday's match. 'We have put the emotions of 1998 behind us. It would not be good to go into the game with a lust for revenge.'

One reason that things have moved on: Brazil came back to win the World Cup in 2002, when France crashed out in the group stage without scoring a goal or winning a game.

'Now we are meeting again and want to make it a great game,' Cafu said. 'Brazil is getting better at this tournament, step by step.'

Ronaldo, derided before the tournament as old and fat, has already scored three times to bring his World Cup total to 15, topping Gerd Mueller's record.

His record-setting goal to open Brazil's 3-0 second-round victory over Ghana showed the sublime touch that keeps the Real Madrid striker in the superstar league.

Zidane showed his class when France beat the young, hungry but tactically naive Spaniards to get to the last eight. 'Zizou' fired the free kick from which 1998 veteran Patrick Vieira headed France into the lead and then went on to seal the victory by scored the third goal himself.

But young talent could still make the difference. Brazil have budding superstar Kaka and speedy striker Robinho, while France forward Franck Ribery powered into the spotlight with his 1-1 equaliser against Spain.

'The trauma of 2002 was still hanging over us at the start of the competition, but we're beyond that now,' said France defender Lilian Thuram, another holdover from the 1998 final. 'It's forgotten.'