Jul 1, 2006, 21:40 GMT
Frankfurt - Defending champions Brazil crashed out of the World Cup quarter-finals Saturday with a 1-0 loss to nemesis France, stunned by a resurgent Zinedine Zidane who just doesn't want to quit.
A supporter from Brazil waves with giant gloves prior to the quarter final of the 2006 FIFA World Cup between Brazil and Francel in Frankfurt, Germany, Saturday, 01 July 2006. EPA/ULI DECK
Arsenal striker Thierry Henry scored the lone goal on 57 minutes off a Zidane free kick and the French held on to set up a semi-final with Portugal on Wednesday in Munich.
'There are no words to describe this. I'm simply happy - exhausted, but happily exhausted,' said French coach Raymond Domenech, whose squad has steadily improved in Germany. 'This is one of the great moments of French football.'
Star-studded Brazil, denied their shot at a sixth world title, lacked ideas and rallied too late in the game to take revenge for their 3-0 humiliation by a Zidane-led France in the 1998 final.
'The first 20 minutes looked like we would get control, but then France came,' said Brazil great Pele. 'Zidane was the absolute master of this match. He took complete control of the pitch.'
France dominated play for most of the match, virtually shutting down Brazil's vaunted forwards, who never jelled against the well- organised French midfield and back line.
Barcelona star Ronaldinho, whose tournament this was supposed to be, left the field in tears, comforted by his French opponents.
While the Brazilians slunk off, a beaming 34-year-old Zidane celebrated his astounding comeback at what he has said will be his last international competition.
'It was an enormous game. We had to do it all physically and mentally, and we combined brilliantly,' the former Real Madrid star said. 'We're aiming for the final. We don't want to stop - it was so wonderful that I don't want to stop.'
Henry's goal broke open the game after a flat first half. But the needed Brazil rally never truly materialised, though they came close when Fabien Barthez turned away a Ronaldo volley in second-half injury time.
By that time, French fans were already singing the Marseillaise in the stands, celebrating their old-guard side's stunning revival in 2006.
Brazil opened on the attack with Ronaldo - fresh from becoming the top World Cup scorer of all time with 16 goals - but the French- deflected cross sailed too far.
Roberto Carlos fired a curving shot over Barthez' goal after a corner kick, and Ronaldo came close when he powered a header just over the bar on 11 minutes after a Ronaldinho free kick.
But France soon began to take control, virtually shutting down Brazil's vaunted midfield with a cautious passing game that denied the South Americans the balls needed to launch explosive attacks.
Wing back Willy Sagnol fired a shot to the near post from the right on 16 minutes, but Dida in the Brazil goal stopped it easily.
Cafu, a veteran of the 1998 final squad, was booked on 25 minutes for holding Eric Abidal's jersey as Zidane and the French built up a bit of pressure.
Still, the bevy of greats on the pitch failed to generate great football.
Zidane and Roberto Carlos miscued passes, Cafu sent a cross through the French area without anyone getting a touch and Patrick Vieira, playing his 92nd for France, lifted an uncontested ball straight over the goal-line.
The game lit up just before half-time when Zidane at midfield escaped three Brazilians, duped a fourth and found the hole for a long ball to Patrick Vieira, only to see him floored by a rough tackle from Juan.
Juan was lucky to escape with a yellow card and more mayhem followed when Ronaldo in the wall handled the free kick fired by Thierry Henry.
Ronaldo was booked too and Henry's second attempt from the 16- metre line was blocked again, sending both teams to the locker rooms in a hail of whistles from the 48,000 fans.
French pressure paid off in the 57th minute with a goal that had Zidane printed all over it.
First, the France captain cheekily lifted the ball over Ronaldo and flicked it on with a header.
That move wound up forcing a free kick, which Zidane curled from 25 metres to the far post, where an unmarked Henry flew in and slammed the ball into the roof of the Dida's net with the inside of his right foot.
France nearly made it two in the 61st when young striker Franck Ribery escaped his marker, muscled into the area and squared a ball that Juan almost sent into his own net and Zidane missed by one step.
Brazil seemed unable to step up the pace as the veteran French defence outduelled Kaka and Ronaldinho, while Ronaldo fell helplessly in the penalty area.
France replied on a fast solo break by Ribery, who forced Dida out to save.
As tensions rose, Sangol was booked on 74 minutes for blocking Kaka and Brazil defender Lucio saw yellow the next minute for flooring Henry.
Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira took off AC Milan's Kaka on 78 minutes after his weakest game of the tournament, bringing on striker Robinho.
The Lyon striker brought immediate spark to Brazil's lacklustre game, but it was too little, too late.
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