It’s not often that I’ve had to watch the Cup at my desk, fortunately there’s a decent TV handy. And it gives me the chance to pull photos off the wire as they come down, and to make some comments as we go:
Deco makes an immediate impact up his return for Portugal. Early shot almost leads to a goal.
Cristiano Ronaldo being booed at every touch. Deservedly so. His dive for a header (he whiffs and falls) gets the entire bench up in arms, and some idiot throws a water bottle on the field. Way to set the example, Coach Scolari.
- The penalty call drawn by Henry is a bit soft, but it wasn’t a dive. People are just getting used to seeing CR dive.
Zidane extremely confident while successfully taking the penalty kick. Note that Ricardo guessed correctly, it was just a great kick. Ricardo is a mind reader, I’m sure of it.
Lillian Thuram has been an absolute rock at the center of the French defense. Truly the toughest "Lillian" on the planet. Yet another of Les Bleus to turn back the clock.
The Portuguese are now complaining about each and every (non) call. If they come back to win, Italy-Portugal might as well be a debate team meet. Shut up and play.
Halftime score France 1-0 Portugal.
I hate JP Dellacamera’s commentary. What happened to Tommy Smyth and that Healy guy? They’ve been MIA since the group stages. Heck, I’d take Dave O’Brien at this point.
2 excellent saves in a minute by Portuguese ‘keeper Ricardo, denying Henry and Ribery. Excellent stuff from my co-keeper of the tournament (Buffon).
Figo’s boot to the face of a French defender marks the second time this tourney #7 has gotten away with a dangerous play (elbow during the Dutch game).
Whoa, Pauleta’s shot into the side netting fooled me. P hasn’t really gotten going this Cup (1 goal), but France cannot afford to give him that much space.
I didn’t think Miguel was fouled on an offensive play that led to copious Portuguese complaining – I think he lost his footing. But he’s taking himself off the pitch, injured, so who knows. Eric Abidal of France also took one to the face for and is down. Scolari complains.
2 Classic Barthez heart attack moments in the 77th/78th minutes. First a simple ball played back to him is made to look like a near-disaster. Then a free kick hit right into his chest by CRonaldo is half caught, then parried upward. Portugal almost scores on the rebound. Sacre vache!
The game really, really slowing down in the second half, as far as legitimate chances on goal are concerned. Still, Portugal seeing the better of the looks, a number of good crosses, but nobody home.
Final score France 1-0 Portugal
The Zidane Era just won’t die. And Zizou’s not just along for the ride. His workrate in this match was incredible, especially in one sequence in the dying minutes where he was splayed on the ground, and still lurched to get a final touch to clear the ball to safety. Louis Saha did his best to give the game to Portugal, with a couple of poor passes picked off. Still, Les Bleus hold on for a rematch of the Euro 2000 final, France v Italy.
Man of the Match: Lillian Thuram. The 34-year old defender played with the energy of a man much younger, yet with the skill only experience can provide. As the Portuguese mounted attack after attack, Thuram seemed to know where that final pass would go, and he stepped in to clear the danger. As shaky as Barthez has shown himself to be, he’s lucky to have a defense (along with William Gallas, plus defensive-minded midfielders Patrick Vieira and Claude Makalele) that leave him only as a last resort.
This just in: C. Ronaldo slips on his way down the tunnel. Asks for the janitor to be sent off…