France have booked their place in the 2006 World Cup semi-finals at the expense of holders Brazil, this after a Zinedine Zidane-inspired 1-0 win for Les Bleus in Frankfurt set up a last-four clash with Portugal.
French midfielder Zinedine Zidane had already destroyed the South Americans in the 1998 final in Paris.
This time in Frankfurt, while not getting on the scoresheet as he had done twice in Paris in 1998, "Zizou" helped set up the only goal for Thierry Henry to take les Bleus into the last four.
"Brazil go out of the Cup playing sad football," said the online version of Lance sports daily.
Folha Online saluted Zidane.
"Again Zidane stood foursquare in our way with France."
For O Globo: "Brazil lost to France to see the dream of a sixth title fade away.
"Zidane had one of those Zidane days and one of creative football's last, unpredictable, mohicans defeated Brazil," uol.com said.
Three-time champion Pele was meanwhile critical of an unadventurous Brazilian team.
"Brazil started off quite well but they let it slip through their hands," Pele told German broadcaster ZDF.
"In the main, this was down to one magical player who held sway over the match - Zinedine Zidane."
Noting that Brazil's backline was caught out by Henry sneaking round behind them, Pele was outraged.
(Source: FIFA)
