Magician Zidane makes Brazilian trickery disappear

Both Brazil and France started the World Cup in a slow fashion. They both failed to impress in the group stages. For Brazil, the promise of their beautiful game never arrived. Whatever glimpse we had of that was only in bits and pieces and that too against teams of lower pedigree.

When they were up against France, Brazil looked very normal, failed to show us the fluent play they are known for. They were playing functional football and were doing it badly as well.

On the other hand, I guess France started to believe in themselves after the great comeback against Spain in the second round stage. They continued that self-belief in today’s game against Brazil. Their passing was crisp, their control of the midfield was superb and above all they had a magician in the middle of the field, pulling all the strings.

Sadly that magician, Zidane, will be retiring after the World Cup. His performance today gave us a clue of what we will be missing from him.

Every time he had the ball, you just wish there were some music in the background because it was such a delight to watch him play. He was poetry in motion. His ball control, first touch, distribution, vision and penetrating passes were the key for the French win today.

On the other hand, the Brazilian midfielders were not in the game at all. They were totally out-played by a compact trio of Vieira, Ribery and Makalele. This tight formation allowed Zidane to orchestrate the French attacks.

He did that all through the night, floating past the Brazil midfielders, finding Henry or other players with a chance to score. Finally the goal, when it came courtesy of Henry, was also from a Zidane freekick.

I thought Brazil only woke up after that goal which forced a change in their system. In came Cicinho, Adriano and Robinho and with the speed they brought, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho started to stir. Still, it was too late for the defending champions.

Having won a record 11 successive games, the 12th just proved too hard.

I hope they blood in more younger and newer players in time for the next World Cup so that they will be hungry to win as well as to replace the many veterans who are to retire after today.

As for Ronadinho, I guess he had a woeful World Cup. Not one which he will remember fondly for his excellent plays.

The only consolation must be the fact that the fat boy Ronaldo broke the World Cup scoring record. I bet he will be around for the next World Cup, and perhaps score even more.

So now France will play Portugal on Wednesday for a place in the finals.