Zinedine Zidane penalty sets up France Italy final.

July 6th Munich: Zinedine Zidane has done it once again. Playing his last world cup, Zidane easily outclassed former Real Madrid team-mate Luis Figo as he captained France into the World Cup final, dashing the hopes of Portugal’s golden generation.

The 33rd-minute penalty by Zidane was enough to stop Portugal by the same score this time - six years after a “Zizou” spot kick ousted them in a tumultuous 2002 European championship semi-final that saw Figo walk off the field in disgust.

Though For flashiness, Portugal’s new star Cristiano Ronaldo may even have outshone the 34-year-old Zidane, now one game away from winning a second World Cup after the 1998 trophy that Les Bleus lifted on home turf. But while the gifted Manchester United midfielder strained France’s notoriously well-glued defences, he tried too often to turn Portugal’s attack into a one-man show. That day may yet come. But in Wednesday’s semi-final, it was the Zidane penalty curse that crushed the Portuguese and handed them their first defeat in 18 matches. The last one was their loss in the Euro 2004 final, where a highly fancied Portuguese squad including many of the same key players failed to crack surprise team Greece, 1-0.

The three-time World Footballer of the Year plans to retire from the game after this World Cup, but it was clear he wanted the shot at that second trophy. He directed the French like a king - occasionally acting a bit like one too, when he was fouled. But he blasted home the penalty past Ricardo - one of this tournament’s best keepers. When Nuno Valente brought down Zidane with a minor foul, the Everton defender respectfully patted the French skipper on the head.

When Ronaldo and Zidane exchanged a handshake after a tussle, it seemed more of a gesture between equals. Figo, who had trained only lightly before the game, nearly headed the equaliser in the 77th minute after Fabien Barthez let a Ronaldo free kick bounce off his chest. But when Zidane and his former team-mate embraced on the field after the final whistle, it was the Frenchman’s day once again.

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