Brilliant, brilliant Zidane

Spell-binding Zidane in a class of his own

JUSTICE, to a legend, and a team.

To defeat Brazil at the World Cup requires many qualities. Heart. Determination. Organisation. Application. But more than anything, it requires class.

Zinedine Zidane always has had class. A World Footballer of the Year. A World Cup winner. By many measures, he is the player of a generation. A rare, almost unique, combination of skill, of stamina, and of strength. But time stands still for no man.

Throughout a disappointing season for Real Madrid, there were whispers, and stares. The great "Zizou" was no longer the player he was. Age had caught up with him. At the end of the Spanish season, Zidane announced his retirement. But he saved the best until last. He would not be retiring until after the World Cup. His nation needed him. And, it appears, he needed his country.

France began the tournament slowly. But once it got going, it purred. As Zidane worked his way through the gears, "Les Bleus" gathered momentum. By the time the past two world champions met at the Waldstadion, it was hard to pick a winner. Two teams of almost equal ability. Two teams which, judging by the smiles and handshakes before the first whistle, had plenty of respect for each other. Two teams that each possessed a rare talent — Zidane and Ronaldinho. The master and the apprentice.

The master, who turned 34 last week, turned in a master class. Ronaldinho was never in the hunt. Zidane, almost single-handedly, steered France into the semi-finals. Brazil is out. Not since 1990 has the "Selecao" left the tournament so early. Tears will flow, from Frankfurt to Florianopolis, for this is a nation that lives and breathes the game. But there can be no complaints.

Brazil were beaten by the better team, and the best man on the field. The 48,000 fans lucky enough to be inside the stadium will surely never forget it. From the moment he produced an outrageous touch, turn and twist to skip past two opponents, and then a shimmy that lost a defender before he attempted to lob goalkeeper Dida from just past the halfway line, this was Zidane's stage.

Brazil never once got to grips with him. He searched for, and demanded, the ball at every opportunity. From both flanks, from box to box, Zidane was the conductor. Thankfully for France, the rest of the team was in tune.

Perhaps his two Real Madrid teammates, Cicinho and Robinho, sensed the magnitude of the occasion. Both Brazilian substitutes ran up to Zidane as the whistle went, handing out warm hugs. Robinho even managed to swap shirts as Zidane headed down the tunnel. Such is the awe, and respect, the great man commands.

Fittingly, rightfully, it was Zidane's free kick that decided the contest. Floated high and deep to the back post, it picked out the late surge of Thierry Henry, who was given remarkable space by some woeful marking from Roberto Carlos, who refused to track the run. Henry gleefully converted a volley from close range. It was no more than France deserved.

Brazil, suddenly aware of the implications, found some urgency. On came Cicinho, Robinho and Adriano. But Raymond Domenech, the wily French coach, countered with some brave substitutions of his own. Most teams in such circumstances would try to protect the lead. Domenech introduced three attackers — Sylvain Wiltord, Louis Saha and Sidney Govou — as he emptied his bench. Brazil's defence, eager to get forward, found itself occupied. Critically, it meant France would not be outnumbered in midfield.

Brazil moved the ball quicker, and with more purpose. This is the time when the world champions so often win their games. But France stayed compact and structured. There was no panic or hesitation. Brazil's late flurry produced some opportunities, but they were hurried. Zidane stayed on to guide his team through to the end.