Once upon a time… the defending World Cup champions Brazil faced off against Zidane’s France in the quarterfinals of the 2006 World Cup. Brazil had a star-filled group making them the heavy favorites to repeat. Ballon D’Or winner Ronaldinho alongside Ronaldo, a young Kaká, Adriano, Juninho, Roberto Carlos and Robinho. The typical “joga bonito” side that humiliated you all while never forgetting to smile.
The 2006 French side had raised certain doubts due to their results in the group stage. Two ties against Switzerland and South Korea wasn’t exactly the ideal way to start the tournament for France but they had the players to easily compete. Zidane would turn 34 during the World Cup and had announced his retirement following the World Cup. He played alongside prime-Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, a young Frank Ribery and David Trezeguet. A convincing 3-1 win over Spain seemed to not be enough and Brazil went into the game as the favorites.
It was a game filled with magic on both sides of the field. Even as an “old man”, Zidane put on one of the best World Cup performances I’ve ever seen. Classy, flawless and effortless all at once. Zidane terrorized Brazil’s side that day with his golden cleats.
Brazil had scored a total of 10 goals in the first four games of the tournament including seven in the last two. However, on that night, France played them to perfection defensively and did not allow them a single dangerous play. Aside from a deflected free kick by Juninho and a back post header by Ronaldo in the first half, Brazil failed to produce any danger.
Just before the end of the half, France had their best opportunities of the half. Zidane led a beautiful counterattack which led to a through ball for Patrick Vieira. The former Arsenal midfielder was brought down by Juan just outside the box in a dangerous position. Thierry Henry’s shot would be deflected but the referee marked yet another free kick since Ronaldo had hit it with his hand. Following the controversial call, Zidane struck his free kick which again hit the wall and despite various failed clearances, France were unable to score.
Early in the second half, France created two great chances off the dead ball. In the first one, Viera connected with the ball but send it just wide of the goal. Behind him was Thierry Henry who had better body positioning to finish off that play. Minutes later, off a similar play, Henry found the ball at his feet all alone inside the box. He calmly finished the play but the flag had been up for offsides.
The thing about Henry was that you could never keep him quiet for too long. Somehow someway, he’d punish you. In the 57th minute, that’s exactly what he did. France got a free kick from the left flank and Zidane played a perfect ball for the far post. In came Henry to meet it and tap it away easily with Dida having no chance. Henry had crashed the goal untouched and with no mark around him. The defender who was in charge of guarding him on that specific play was the legendary Roberto Carlos himself. The defender had decided to bend down and tie his shoe right before the kick and could not recover on time. He simply watched Henry bury his strike with ease. 1-0 France.
The europeans continued to attack and had a fantastic opportunity a few minutes later. Franck Ribery turned on Lucio perfectly and played a deadly ball across the face of the goal but there was no one there to finish.
Brazil were forced to go out and look for the game leaving many openings in the back. France continued to look dangerous on the counterattacks but were unable to extend their lead. One on one chances were wasted by Henry himself and even Sydney Govou. As the clock kept ticking, Brazil were still unable to create any form of danger despite having the best attack in the World.
Over the course of the 90 minutes, Fabian Barthez was rarely tested by the Brazilians who left as the biggest disappointment of the tournament. For the first time since 1990, Brazil had failed to even reach the semifinals of the World Cup. The last chance for their golden generation had been ruined. The last time we saw Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Cafu, Juninho, Adriano, Roberto Carlos in the World Cup. All ruined by a magnificently-defensive France side and by Roberto Carlos’ untied shoe.
France would go on to lose in the final against Italy thanks to David Trezeguet missed penalty. Back to back disappointing World Cup performances by France in 2010 and 2014 ruined the last little bit of that generation. However, the new generation looks set to conquer the World in Russia 2018. As for Brazil, 2010 was more of the same and 2014 left them with their worst defeat in World Cup history. Much like France, they’ll hope to make the upcoming World Cup a shot of redemption.
For anyone who did not see that France vs Brazil in the 2006 World Cup definitely missed out on a legendary game. Not necessarily for the goals but for the way that the underdog French squad halted the best attacking lineup in the World for one last time along with the performance that the great Zizou gave us that day.
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