France Beat Portugal for a Finals Berth

Another early 5am start to the day; France and Portugal were playing for the right to face Italy in the World Cup final. The start was so much more promising than the Italy/Germany game, with great passing and an urgency for both teams to get on the scoreboard. The play was technically beautiful. I would have expected no less from a pitch that contained such an ample supply of football superstars; names such as Thierry Henry, Deco, Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo, Fabien Barthez, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lilian Thuram.

France were the better team early on despite Portugal's highly acclaimed midfield, which included the likes of Figo, Ronaldo and Deco, who was back from suspension. However, with five players already on yellow cards from previous games, perhaps the Portuguese players were a little subdued so as to not be suspended for the final should they beat France. I was greatly relieved to see minimal, if any, theatrics from the players. They just seemed to want to get on with the game; a refreshing change. With France appearing the hungrier side and pushing the attack more, it was little surprise when they made the first major impact on the game. Henry, who was trying to manoeuvre around the Portugal defence just inside their 18-yard box, was brought down and the referee wasted no time in pointing to the spot. As is becoming the norm this world cup, there was great controversy. Portugal, of course, were claiming that he dived and it did look slightly exaggerated, but there was definite contact on the trailing ankle from the defender on the ground. Henry, for his part, didn’t protest vigorously like most attackers brought down in the opposition’s penalty area, but rather put up his hands a little as if to say it wasn’t a dive. Deserved or not, it was a penalty and the responsibility fell to the very capable boots of the Maestro himself, Zizou. In potentially his last game on the world stage, he calmly took a two step run up and put it perfectly to the left beyond the outstretched arms of Ricardo, who guessed the right way, futilely though it was.

After 30 minutes of excellent team play, France had taken a 1-nil lead; perhaps not by the most convincing method by it was deserved nonetheless. However, from that point on the game changed, subtly at first but growing more and more obvious as the game wore on. France gradually stopped playing attacking football and instead looked content to hold Portugal off rather than lust after more goals. The challenge had been thrown down and it was up to Portugal to step up and prove themselves; and they did a commendable job indeed.

France is an all-class side but so is Portugal and now it was Portugal pushing and looking like the hungrier of the two, as would be expected. The remainder of the first half saw some brilliant individual skill, particular in the midfield where the majority of the exceptional talent was. Between 20 and 40 metres from either goal line both teams were showing off fantastic step-overs, back-heals and flick-ons, however the players retired to the dressing rooms with Portugal still trailing by the single goal.

The second half continued much the same way as the first half ended with the bulk of the play between the centre circle and the respective 18-yard boxes. The midfielders all produced some excellent lead up play but unfortunately it never led up to anything. Nobody seemed to be able to finish what they started, although Barthez was superb in the French goal grabbing Portugal attempts like he had glue on his gloves. He did have a nervous moment late in the second half, however, as he parried what looked like a straight forward free kick up into the path of three incoming red shirts who had run on through the defensive line, Figo included, and when Figo put his head on the ball all the French fans in the stadium held their breath; but the ball whispered over the top of the bar, which was lucky for Barthez as there was little he would have been able to do about it. Figo, in what was most probably his last game too, put his head in his hands as it gave the crossbar a dusting on the way out.

France’s intention to grind down the clock became more obvious as the second half started coming to a close. Thuram was a rock in defence playing brilliantly, while Barthez seemed content to let the Portugal attacker run him down and waited until the last second before picking up the ball. However, as France played safer Portugal played riskier, desperate to get an equaliser. With less than five minutes of normal time left, even Ricardo came out of his goal and ventured up to the edge of the French penalty area for a corner. As time started running out the acting started increasing, particularly from Portugal who would take any lifeline the referee threw their way. Yet the referee was having none of it and he made up for his early leniency in the first half by cracking down, particularly on fouls, late in the second half.

Despite the relentless attacking pressure and cross after cross, France managed to hold them off right to the end of the four minutes injury time to book a place in the finals opposite Italy. In the end, the game promised more than it actually delivered. Such excellent build up play time and time again resulted in nothing but a change of possession. The final shot count, of 11 shots for Portugal and 6 for France, reflected the lack of finishing.

Earlier in the morning the commentator (it might have been Martin Tyler perhaps?) was saying that France had vowed not to swap shirts this world cup after doing so poorly in 2002 following their ’98 win. However, the last bit of footage I saw before heading off to the shower to get ready for work was Figo and Zidane swapping shirts. A fitting end to a game of modern legends: two of the best players of our time exchanging shirts. What a beautiful game – Joga Bonito.

Italy's Minor Miracle Against Germany

Well, who would have predicted that? Italy progress to the World Cup final; the actual final, not just the "finals" (what idiot came up with the term "finals" for the World Cup? The World Cup finals final. Dumb.) After an abysmal performance against Australia in the round of 16 and looking fairly unconvincing in the group stage (despite topping Group E), Italy look to be picking up the pace a bit and managed to bag a brace in the last 2 minutes of extra time against Germany in Dortmund. This mild surprise comes after Germany’s complete control over Group A and strong performances in their knockout games so far, including a brave display against such difficult opposition as Argentina.

I'm in two minds about the game actually. On one hand, I'm disappointed Italy made it through after the treacherous way they got past Australia, but on the other hand they did play pretty well and the goals were top class. I still have no respect for Grosso after his theatrical dive over Lucas Neill, even though he scored the 1st goal with a beautifully struck left foot shot from outside the right corner of the 6-yard box that curled around Lehmann and just snuck inside the far post. However, I've always liked Del Piero, and his experience and deft touch prevailed in the last few seconds as he ran onto a well-weighted pass from Gilardino into the left side of the penalty area and flicked the ball around Lehmann with his right foot into the top right corner of Germany's goal. Although, having come on well into extra time, he was one of the few fresh players on the pitch. Both goals went just inside the respective far posts; perfect placement.

Two beautiful goals after 118 minutes of goalless football when everyone thought the game was just about to go to penalties - unbelievable.

Italy was the better team in the first half, dominating with 58% possession. However, Jurgen Klinsmann was getting very animated on the sideline about the apparent inequality of the referee's decisions, and I have to say Klinsmann had a point. The referee would often ignore challenges that resulted in a German player on his backside but seemingly identical challenges against Italian players usually resulted in free kicks going Italy's way. The later stages of the first half aside, I thought the refereeing was of a much higher standard than most refereeing we had seen so far in this World Cup. Germany managed to turn things around in the second half and played some nice attacking football, although Ballack’s lack of involvement was dissatisfying; in fact, he has had a very lacklustre tournament in general.

Something I find very disappointing about Italy is their theatrics. True to their reputation, they acted like they’d broken their leg almost every time they were tackled and every bone in their face every time there was contact going up for a header. What’s the deal with all the rolling on the ground? Is that supposed to make a player feel better if he is in pain? Surely just lying still is a more definite sign of real injury. Having said that, there were a couple occasions where I was glad it was not me making contact, such as Materazzi’s clearing header from a powerful Kehl shot early in extra time that looked like it almost knocked him out. Ouch! In general, Germany just got up and got on with it while Italy milked it for all it was worth.

At the end of 90 minutes the score was still locked at 0-0. Germany definitely had the momentum going into extra time, but to everyone’s surprise Italy came out firing, looking to make a quick impact, and found both the right post and crossbar in the first few minutes of extra time. It was very nervous times for a suddenly shaky looking German defence. I’m sure Lehmann was glad when his team-mates woke up and started moving the ball forward again, although they certainly looked like they were running out of steam while Italy looked rejuvenated by the short break after 90 minutes (must have been something in their water).

Penalties started looking more and more likely, with neither team looking like they wanted to score. However, the tide suddenly turned when Pirlo played the ball to Grosso just outside the 6-yard box, who calmly curled his shot around Lehmann. There was stunned silence in the predominantly German crowd, understandably enough. With less than 2 minutes to go the hosts had come unstuck and the nation issued a collective groan; so close and yet so far. Klinsmann was desperately urging his players on in the last minute and Odonkor pressed forward aggressively, but Germany, rattled from conceding a goal seconds before and going all out in attack, were caught with nothing left in defence. Gilardino put Del Piero through for a one-on-one with Lehmann and the Juventus record-holder did the rest.

So Italy are the first World Cup finalists of 2006. Will they meet France or Portugal in the finals? It ought to be an excellent game, but, given Zidane’s brilliant form against Brazil, the ever-incredible Arsenal man’s presence (yes, I’m talking about Henry) and the collective experience in the squad members, I’d have to tip France to go through. Ideally France will give Italy a football lesson in the final (as retribution for numerous Oscar performances) but reality is often as unpredictable as it is peculiar. The playoff for 3rd place, presumably between Germany and Portugal, should also be a fantastic game and I’m expecting it to contain some of the best football of the entire tournament. Only time will tell...