Zidane steers France to World Cup final

MUNICH, July 5 - Zinedine Zidane made sure the last match of his glittering career would be a World Cup final when he presented France with a 1-0 win over Portugal in a tense semi-final on Wednesday.
 
Eight years after their Zidane-inspired home triumph, the ageing French will feature in the title match of the showcase tournament for the second time when they face Italy on Sunday in Berlin.

The 34-year-old Zidane, who retires after the finals, got the winner after 33 minutes by calmly converting a penalty after Thierry Henry's ankle was caught by Ricardo Carvalho.

"What matters now is to go all the way," said France coach Raymond Domenech, who had kept naming the final as his objective even when his team did little to suggest they could get there.

"We must give all we have in that final to make sure we have no regrets," he added.

Portugal, playing in their second semi-final after reaching the same stage in 1966 with Eusebio, have to be content to meet hosts Germany for third place on Saturday in Stuttgart.

The Euro 2004 runners-up kept trying but were repeatedly denied by a watertight defence at the centre of which Thuram shone with calm authority before being named Man of the Match.

"We defended like lions," said Henry. "The way we defended, everyone, you could see that the team had desire and commitment and everything, plus a lot of technique."

 

France's Zinedine Zidane celebrates his goal against Portugal during their World Cup 2006
semi-final soccer match in Munich July 5, 2006.

 

France's Thierry Henry (L) and Zinedine Zidane (C) speak to Portugal's Luis Figo after their World Cup 2006
semi-final soccer match in Munich July 5, 2006.

 

France's Thierry Henry kisses his wife Nicole Merry after their World Cup 2006
semi-final soccer match against Portugal in Munich July 5, 2006.

 

A fan waits in the stands before the World Cup 2006 semi-final soccer match between
Portugal and France in Munich July 5, 2006.

 

The wife and daughter of France's Willy Sagnol wait in the stands before the World Cup 2006
semi-final soccer match between Portugal and France in Munich July 5, 2006.

 

France soccer team supporters carry a French flag in front of the Eiffel tower in Paris after
France defeated Portugal in the semi-final of the soccer World Cup 2006, July 5, 2006.

 

词汇：

steer v.驾驶, 掌舵

glittering a.闪闪发光, 闪烁, 闪光

Portugal n.葡萄牙(欧洲西南部国家)

triumph n.胜利, 成功 v.获得胜利

tournament n.比赛, 锦标赛, 联赛

commitment n.委托事项, 许诺, 承担义务

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