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France 1 Portugal 0
06/07/2006: France booked their place in Sunday's World Cup final after beating Portugal with a Zinedine Zidane penalty in the first half.
Portugal were the more attack-minded of the two teams throughout with Cristiano Ronaldo the spearhead. The Manchester United flyer was roundly jeered in Munich with every touch after his antics against England in the semi final, but that only seemed to inspire him. However for all his pace and trickery, there was little help for the 21-year-old in the final third as the misfiring Pauleta, among others, again drew a blank.
France afforded the Portuguese midfield acres of space early on which allowed them plenty of long-range efforts which Fabien Barthez dealt with, although in typical fashion, the keeper made the saves more difficult than they needed to be.
The only goal came on 33 minutes when Thierry Henry showed a rare flash of brilliance in the box. The Arsenal striker picked the ball up 18-yards out before flicking it wide of Ricardo Carvalho and then readily fell over the outstretched leg of the Chelsea defender. Zidane took a two-step run up to do what England found so difficult on Saturday, and slammed it past Ricardo in the Portuguese goal. The stopper did manage to get a hand to the spot kick, but the power ensured it found the back of the net.
Portugal tried to get back in the game, but without a real attacking presence and a resurgent French defence, marshaled superbly by Lillian Thuram, they rarely threatened. Luis Figo had a decent chance on 77 minutes when Barthez fumbled a thunderous Ronaldo free kick, but his looping header sailed over the bar.
Luiz Felipe Scolari showed his frustration at the final whistle as he vented his anger at the Uruguayan referee at what he thought were a series of injustices. However on reflection, Portugal's coach will surely be embarrassed at some of the antics of his players who all too frequently threw themselves to the floor after minimal, if any, contact.
But it is France who head to Berlin on Sunday after such an unconvincing start to the tournament, they have improved steadily. However, they will surely have to step up a gear again if they want to claim their second world title in three attempts.
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Comments on: France 1 Portugal 0
05/07/2006: Well thats it...Ronaldo and his cheating diving side are out! I actually think that Portugal played well but with all this diving stuff they deserved to lose.
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