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Sportco FIFA WC Flashback: Brazil 0-1 France | Lineup | 2006 WC | As it Happened

The clash between the two titans was the first meeting between France and Brazil since the 1998 World Cup Final in a competitive game. Both teams had won the previous two editions of the World Cup with Brazil making the final of the last three occasions while winning on two occasions.

France on the flip side were boosted by the likes of Zinedine Zidane and Thierry Henry and were the tournament favorite.

  • Zinedine Zidane played in the 1998 World Cup final against Brazil and ended with a brace
  • Brazil were the defending World Champions having beaten Germany in the 2002 final
  • Both teams were unbeaten heading into the contest with high morale

Brazil: Dida, Cafu (c) (Cicinho, 76′), Lucio, Juan, Roberto Carlos, Gilberto Silva, Ze Roberto, Kaka (Robinho, 79′), Juninho (Adriano, 63′), Ronaldinho, Ronaldo

France: Fabien Barthez, Willy Sagnol, Lilian Thuram, William Gallas, Eric Abidal, Patrick Vieria, Claude Makelele, Franck Ribery (Sidney Govou, 77′), Zinedine Zidane (c), Florent Malouda (Sylvain Wiltord, 81′), Thierry Henry (Louis Saha, 86′)

First half:

12th Minute: BLOCKED! Henry has his first attempt of the night, a shot from a distance that strikes Lucio on the head and goes out for a throw. The Arsenal man is inspired, having just lost in the final of the Champions League against Barcelona.

29th Minute: WASTED! Zidane takes the free-kick; he goes for a goal, but curls his shot over the crossbar as the Real Madrid man almost does what he does best and that is to score a goal.

42nd Minute: SHOULD HAVE SHOT! Malouda breaks into the area after spinning his man; he approaches the goal from a slight angle, but declines the shot and opts to cross. Brazil clear.

45th Minute +: OFF THE WALL! Zidane's shot hits the wall again as France missed a golden opportunity to take the lead.

Half Time: Brazil 0-0 France 

57th Minute: GOAL! The breakthrough comes through Henry as he ghosts in around the back to volley home Zidane's free-kick. France is on the brink of repeating its 1998 history.

70th Minute: GREAT SAVE! Henry breaks down the right and feeds a good pass inside for the advancing Ribery; Dida comes flying out to the edge of his area to block Ribery's shot.

83rd Minute: WELL WIDE! A chance for Robinho, but he snatches at the ball as it falls to him in the penalty area. If the results stay as they are, Brazil will be steering down the barrel and on the cusp of exit.

91st Minute: SAVE! Ronaldo has finally come to life; he runs at the defense again before firing in a low shot which Barthez pushes away.

Full Time: Brazil 0-1 France

Cover Credits: FIFA

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