By Tony Czuczka Jul 6, 2006, 12:30 GMT
Munich - Get ready for an all-blue World Cup final between two exquisitely defending squads, after Zinedine Zidane's penalty powered France to a title clash with Italy.
Supporters of France celebrate after the semi final match of the 2006 FIFA World Cup between Portugal and France on the "Fan Fest" in Berlin,, Germany, Wednesday 05 July 2006. EPA/Marcel Mettelsiefen
The French and Zidane, 34, got by on a strong first half against Portugal in the semi-finals Wednesday, a day after Italy dispatched Germany with two stunning last-gasp goals.
When Zidane and former Real Madrid team-mate Luis Figo hugged and exchanged jerseys after the game at Munich's sold-out 66,000-seat stadium, the French captain was headed toward his second final after the 1998 cup that France won on home turf.
Figo, 33, was left with regrets after Portugal once again failed to reach their first major international title. Two years ago, it was Greece who stopped him and the Portuguese in the European Championship final. At Euro 2000, France beat Portugal in a tumultuous semi-final decided by a late penalty from Zidane.
The former three-time World Footballer of the Year has risen to magisterial form after a slow start in the tournament, defying critics who said the French - built around key holdovers from 1998 - were over the hill.
Due to quit the game after the World Cup, he is suddenly poised to go out as a star, not a has-been, as leader of Les Bleus.
'I always said if we want to achieve something, we have to do it as a team. And that has just been borne out again,' said Arsenal striker Thierry Henry, who forced the 33rd-minute penalty.
Portugal's revenge never really took off, despite thrusting runs by Manchester United youngster Cristiano Ronaldo, dangerous long- range efforts by Maniche and cringe-inducing blunders by French 'keeper Fabien Barthez.
Portugal's Luis Felipe Scolari, who led Brazil to the 2002 title, was denied a chance of becoming the first coach to win World Cups with two different countries.
'We wanted to be in the final, so this is very frustrating,' said Portugal's creative midfielder Deco, who like his team-mates failed to find a strategy to crack the French back four and defensive midfield.
Defender Lilian Thuram, another world champion from 1998, was named FIFA's man of the match. Added Henry: 'What makes the difference is that we can also score just one goal and get by with it.'
At least for one half, though, the French rock-solid defending did not always mean dull play. Under Zidane's leadership, they also seem to be pulling for each other more than in 2002, when Les Bleus crashed out in the group stage.
'We are really hot to succeed, to go all the way,' defence anchor Patrick Vieira said. 'And we have the means to do it.'
Italy, whose nickname 'Azzurri' is mirrored in their light-blue jerseys, will be out to disprove that and pick up their fourth title Sunday at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin.
Portugal face Germany in Stuttgart Saturday in the match for third place.
'We defended like lions,' said Henry. 'Thuram got man of match. It was for a reason.'
He felt France had proved their critics wrong by making it to the final.
'You could see that the team had desire and commitment the way we played,' he said.
'At the very beginning people were not seeing the real France, but even though we are getting older, we still want to show something.'
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