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Into the quarter’s

   

Raymond Domenech summed up France’s victory over Spain by saying ‘We may have a team of old men but we know how to be patient. Younger people run out of breath.’

I don’t know if the Spanish youngster’s ran out of steam but France used all it’s experience to weather Spain’s attacks and pick them off at the end.
It’s a shame to see Spain go out because they have some excellant players and have been one of the best teams to watch in this World Cup but France dug in when they went a goal down, waited for their chances to come and took them.

Thierry Henry let himself down with his second half dive, he never does that kind of nonsense in the Premiership and his reputation for being a player with a lot of class will take a dent for doing that.
Henry had a hard role to play because France never seemed to get enough support up to him and I can’t remember him having too many chances on goal.

It turned into Zidane’s night. He didn’t have a dominating game but it was great to see him score and keep his career alive and after watching Brazil, France have a real chance of making the semi’s.


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  • Max

    All I have to say is that the french team outclassed Spain in every field; they were better technically, physically, tactically…And when the French get pissed off, they ruuuule !!
    After being spoiled several times by referees in the first round, Aragones’s racist comment on Henry and the fact Spain declared they were about to send France off to retirement, they were eager to shut every sceptical mouth around them. And so they did.
    Playing Brazil will be a football celebration and a great show. May the best win (allez les bleus)

  • nicko

    allez les bleus!

    ranks up there with Jesse Owens efforts,
    I hope Aragones crawls back to the hole he came from and is never seen or heard from again :)

  • Haarf

    Please stop with Henry. The call was good, watch the images again. Not for a strike but for an obvious obstruction. I can hardly believe somebody can contest it.

    Btw, what about the dive of Torres to get a penalty ? (hopefully the referee was not abused)

    Good game to both teams. Spain shall be very dangerous next Euro.

  • http://www.cput.ac.za futebolblinger

    The french won it by fluke ‘98??, now here we go you better start firing real bullets or your old timers are going to embarass themselves, maybe be they can upset the world champs since the pressure’s on the brazilian players, who have to pay you back for ‘98 and i hope they pay you back with interest!!!

    You owe us B-aitch!!

  • Observer

    It is obvious from reading and hearing what people say about certain calls and tactics that fans are hypocrits. There is a tendency for fans to criticise certain actions by “the other” teams but cheer those same actions when done by “their team(s)” and to cheer with certain calls when they go against the opposition but jeer those same calls when they go against the home team. I didn’t care who won this game but the foul on Torres was indeed a foul. He was pushed in the box and a PK was the only choice. There was no foul on Henry, though. He simply ran into the Spaniard and made like he was shot in the face. As a result, France got a cheap call, a chea goal, and a cheap win. Once again, the referee decided the outcome of an important match. So both Brazil and France won their games with help from the refs, who will win the refs favour in the next game?

  • Haarf

    I try to be objective and I keep my position, there was a foul on Henry.
    Concerning the penalty, I didn’t talk about the one Spanish get and that was justified but on the others (two) they try to get. (please read before answering)

  • Cajun Nick

    **Disclaimer: I wanted Spain to win because I felt they had played much more attractive football up to that point.***

    With the disclaimer out of the way, here are my comments about the two fouls (PK and yellow card):

    1) Torres WAS fouled in the box. Did he allow himself to fall, making it look maybe a little worse than it was? Maybe. Still, he WAS pushed. What’s the referee to do? He’s got to award the penalty kick.

    2) I love Henry. Arsenal is my favorite Premiership team, and Henry is probably 40% of the reason. However, I am saddened by his dive. He is a class player, who didn’t need to resort to those theatrics.

    I think that the referee would probably have whistled the foul (for obstruction) regardless. Henry may have felt the stress wanting to win, but that was uncalled for.

    (As a side note, I don’t feel that it was obstruction, but I think that it was 50-50, and the ref would have given it to Henry.)

    At this point, the match is finished, and we have to say, “Felicitations France!”

  • http://france lokki

    C’est du foot un vainqueur un vaincu et c’est la france avec Zidane qui a porté l’estocada aux espagnols, ça a le mérite de faire taire les commentaires désobligeants et les pseudos pro du foot! La france ce soir là et comme a chaque rencontre internationale face

  • Chriso

    I’m an Arsenal fan and think Henry’s the best player we’ve every had, love the guy to bits, but that was over the top yesterday.
    He got hit in the chest and his head went back and he clutched his face.

  • Julian

    All you pathetic sore losers, I can really tell you guys (futebolblinger and observer) have never touched a football except in your dreams. I can’t understand you still have time on your hand to write in this blog, if your team is out, get on with it! If not concentrate on cheering for them because they’re about to pack as well.Spain was outclassed, outplayed, and the ref has nothing to do with it. I can understand Araganos is trying to save his arse by blaming the refs, but you guys…Spain was good, but not good enough, period. Let the best team win!

  • Kiri

    Whatever you say it was an obstruction on Henry. France has had really bad calls made against them during their first 3 matches:

    - Against Switzerland: There was a penalty that was never called. A Swiss stopped Henry’s shot on goal with his hand.

    - Against Korea: That second French goal was never counted. That should have been another victory.

    You don’t see the French team crying like you guys are crying. This was a 3-1 victory and nothing could have changed that. It’s funny how for some people, their hate for a nation as a whole is stronger than their objectivity for a football match well played by France.

    And who can forget the Spaniards booing the French national anthem. We as Americans would have not liked that at all. But since it happens to France, who cares right? It is a shame there are people like that.

  • http://www.4skills.com/savage.html Dagger

    Well I’m glad that the French coach is hailing his old men; however, Aragones’ fear of bringing Guti and Morientes was obviously a mistake. When it came down to the wire, Spain had no imagination, or fire power, to reach the Quarter-Finals.

  • Terry

    MESSAGE FROM TERRY,NAPLES FLORIDA USA

    I don’t think henry cares if he dove,his reputation… his making his money and France is advancing that’s what matters, Christo do you care what people think and say about? if secure with yourself and I hope you , you will not.

    Players are human and they do what they have to do to win, this is not knew, fair no I agree,but was it fair to Australia to loose to Italy on a penalty that was not there, din’t France got robbed of a valid goal against the Suisse, din’t Maradona score with his hand in 1986, as life continues nothing is fair, every nation will have good things and bad things happend to them, if everyone played fairely we would not need refferies.

    come Christo be fair reporter your letting your feelings get to involve with your writing.

    If France get’s robes or get’s crushed again Brazil I will say nothing why because it’s soccer nothing new
    France won point blank

    If people out there don’t like France it’s their choice but these are like every one else they are trying to win that’s the game today winning, Holland in 74 and 78 played remarkable yet today when they play they don’t have stars on their Jerseys. France

    I want for people to critize France it gives them extra motivation, French be proud of your team, next game Brazil please people out there don’t make stupid prediction, no one but god knows the outcomes of games and with all that is going on in this world he probably does not even care.

    Christ thhis is for you

  • Terry

    Kiri well said.

    I am an American living in Naples Fl, therefore I am very objectif as well, for those who dislike France have you even lived there ? I went to American College in Paris and was always treated with respect there are good and bad people all over the world if your polite and try to understand ones culture you will be welcome in any society.

    Let’s talk soccer, if the French team are a buch of old men why bother talking bad about them if someone is not important usually people egnore them ok since allot of people say they suck, than how bad is Spain they can’t beat a bad team.

    As far as Brazil I have allot of respect and if France looses I will be a man and congratulate them.

    This is for Futebolinger, assuming France got lucky in 98
    than how they beat Brazil 2-0 in the Confederation Cup the following year luck again I am sure and 86 with Platini’s team offcourse luck, actually every game France has played and won has been luck, yes you are so right, you are angry and mad and I understand, France played to win so did Spain and the outcome preveiled accept or not get over it or continue to cry about something you can’t change

  • Tascien

    2 shots on the goal. Again, I repeat… 2 shots on the goal…

    How was spain tryig to win with just 2 shots on the gaol????

    We all know Barthez is a time bomb. they failed to test him.

    A free kick is not a pk. they should have defended it.

    If you read the spanish newspaper, they aren’t even blaming the refree. It’s the Spain wannabees from US who are complaining…

    Please, stop booing other National Anthems. It’s lack of education.

  • joe

    The best team won. Absolutely and without a doubt. I find this to be fairly obvious if you watched the entire game.
    Like Tascien said, Spain had TWO shots on the goal. It’s 100% Spain’s fault that they were unable to score a goal that didn’t come by way of the PK.
    Spain played the offsides trap very well (as noted by Henry’s 5 or so offsides), but just weren’t able to make quality runs when they had the ball.
    Spain had posession of the ball 61% of the time!!! Usually 39% ball possession is a tell-tale sign of a losing team. But France made EVERY possession count, making Spain sweat everytime they touched the ball. Spain did not take advantage of their opportunities. France did. And THAT is why France, the better team, won.

    France v. Brazil is going to be VERY interesting indeed…

  • Nate

    Les bleus ont joué tres bien. Torres est tombé mais il ne pourrait pas fait un but parce que il etait regardé vers son but, pas Barthez. Bon travail les bleus.

  • Rene

    I just find out that a Spaniard is going to be the referee in the match against Brazil.

    I don’t think that is such a good idea, specially considering how France just eliminated Spain. Does anyone agree with me?

  • http://france lokki

    that’s right but he’s the referee in the world cup and i hope to be sure that a referee can be spanish or other but he had to be right no?

  • DJ

    You know, maybe I’m trying to fit events to my viewpoint but I’ll forgive Henry his play-acting since the only time he’s ever done it was playing a coach who’d flung racial slurs at him. Two wrongs don’t make a right but hey, Aragones? Have a nice flight home?

    They booed La Marseillaise? Les Bleus showed they’re a class act, entering a game with the potential to descend into POR-NED-style chaos and not lowering themselves to the level of the opposing fans and coach.

  • DJ

    Hey, I’m from Canada! Stupid work internet.

  • toch

    I’m french and i ‘m going to be honest like chriso said ther was a small foul on henry but he was hit in his chest not in his face, and I regret his attitude, and i’m sorry Kiri but we all cried after the referees here saying they were corupted or really bad, and there wasn’t penalty against Switzerland, muller doesn’t touch the ball on purpose.
    We won a great game with at last a great french team, ribery is the new french star (will he leave marseille for french top team Lyon? big contreversy here in france, i hope he will)
    malouda= did he played? I hope wiltord or dhorasso replaces him against Brazil.
    Brazil …. fantastic game to come, 20 years after wcup 1986 also in quarter final!! french wins after 1-1 and penalty
    Did you knew it said to be one of the 3 best games in football history, i stil have the tape saw it 20 times or more, a dream!!! 125 minutes of heaven football, allez les bleus

  • glad

    Henry had ascore to settle with Puyol from the champions league final add to that arragones comments hey who can blame him. I was hoping that the french team would taunt arragones at the end but alas they were better than that. I am so happy spain lost, Viva les bleus.

  • dédé

    Hi, just to say that I’m a bit disappointed by Henry fool. Henry is a great class player and I’ve never seen him use this sort of trick, in national team and at Arsenal.

    In fact, it’s a personal revenge against Puyol, these too players have ever played against in Barca-Arsenal champions league final, and there were some bashing I think.
    Plus the Aragones sentence, plus booing la Marseillaise so Henry was a bit irritated.

    But it’s just a fact that feed debate in press, France was better last night.

    sorry for my english
    Allez les Bleus!

  • Raul

    LMAO…. so Henry acting like he was hurt is ok because of what Aragones said and because Puyols locked him down during the Arsenal-Barca games? I couldnt care less anymore… it isnt like France is going to win the cup but that just shows what this sport is coming to. But hey Henry isnt at fault. The ref just blew another call. Like the PK on Torres before the end of the first half or the foul on France that led to their first goal. Spain played a bad game but you guys got a gift. Not just one you got 3…

  • Kiri

    Raul is here as well!!!

    That is so cool! You are the best entertainment on this forum! I hope you’re not American…are you? Don’t embarass our flag with your posts.

  • Vive Zidane

    Et Vive les Francais! http://www.pierretristam.com

  • Raul

    Kiri…

    Who is “us”???? Are you a Native American? I live in NY but I was born in Spain… My passport is blue but my heart bleeds Furia Red. I love the US. I was just as pissed that the stars and stripes didnt advance. I am not doing anything to our flag. Please dont come at me with this superior attitude…. its the reason why everyone else in the world hates the US. If it wasnt for France we wouldnt be here?!? What about the Spaniards? I hope you dont live in a state that ends with “a” odds are it was named by a spaniard just like me….

  • HatetheFrenchies

    THEY DESERVED TO WIN? FOR GOD’S SAKE YOUR TEAM WAS SLEEPING FOR THE FIRST 30 MINUTES….SPAIN OUT PLAYED YOU GUYS IN EVERYWAY, JUST GOES TO SHOW YOU…YOU DON’T HAVE TO PLAY THE GAME WELL OR EVEN KNOW HOW TO PLAY TO WIN! (IDIOTS!)

    HENRY CAN ANY OF YOU COUNT HOW MANY OFFSIDES THE RETARD HAD DURING THE GAME….WORLD CLASS PLAYER WHO CANNOT COMPREHEND THAT HE NEEDS TO POSITION HIMSELF TO RECEIVE THE BALL FROM HIS TEAMMATES.(RETART)

    CHEATS! LOSERS! YOU WILL GET YOUR BUTTS WOOPED BY BRAZIL! AND ZIDANE??!?!?WHAT IS HE A FOSSIL?

  • dédé

    Thank you guy, all is welcome to reinforce pride of players, whatever the nation they belong to. Spaniard learned that. Words, words….but the answear is on the ground.

  • HatetheFrenchies

    Go BRAZIL! send these idiots back to their crossaints! IDIOTS! non-talented, cheats, old geesers, offsides playing and offside goal scoring mother-fers! Women who don’t shave stinky hos. Peeuuuuu stinky!
    BRAZIL WILL WOOP YOUR ASSES! NOONE IN YOUR TEAM DESERVES TO BE THERE, YOU ARE THERE BY LUCK! YOU SUCK!

  • Dan

    Anyways Zidane is still a huge factor in the french offence. He is still one of the best playmakers in the world and knows how to set up a free kick or a through ball to a forward. He just doesnt run back on defence as fast as he used to. He is older and his physical shape is not what it used to be but that doesnt mean zizou cannot handle the ball or create opportunities…

    Secondly, France is a very good defensive team if any of u have noticed, sagnol, thuram and viera headed out every chip with headers and totally beat out the spaniards in that categorie…(two shots on goal for spain, even the swiss can do better than that!)

    For those of u who question the refs calls, that is the nature of sports. Everyone that saw the replay in slow motion can agree that it could of went both ways, for the pk or the henry foul. Dont forget that the ref has to make an instant decision and some calls are debateble. This goes along for football or any other sport in the world.

    With that said, France will be able to put up a fight against brazil and it will be a great football match.

    Can someone answer one question for me please: Why wont they play trezeguet? He is a great player and he can add some much needed speed into france’s lineup.

  • Dan

    hate the frenchies… do urself a favor and stick to MLS in the states
    lol

  • Maniuti

    Hatethefrenchies:

    Alright, more embarassment for us Americans. Please people of the world, forgive us for having some of these specimens as part of our society. Hopefully, it is just a 12 year old having fun on this forum.

    But if he is an adult…oh well…that’s what not going to school does to you! :)

  • Gustavo – Brasil

    WE WILL BE VERY HAPPY TO RETIRE ZIDANE. FAIR ENOUGH.

  • rolf

    Just from the start – Allez les bleus! As long as Zidane plays, they will be one of my favorite teams.

    But kiri, I agree with you that the ball was in the goal against Korea, however the ref could not see that from his angle, that one was on the linesman. But the so-called handball by the Swiss defender – i think it was Muller – was a ball-to-hand with the hand being as close to the body as possible. Indeed, if you look at the replay, you see that Muller’s hand has no resistance towards the ball and is easily pushed back by the ball. Muller did not even change the trajectory of the ball. It would have been a horrible call by the ref to decide on a pk.

    Henry is a great player, but he is not nearly as innocent of play-acting as his fans want to believe. He is a very skilled diver and had another diving scene against Spain, unsuccessfully. Also in the Swiss game, he just remained lying on the ground during a Swiss counterattack until they broke off the attack.

    Zidane is the heart of the team, once he retires, adieu les bleus.

  • John

    Spain was simply too small to withstand a physical game against a big team like France. Spain’s bread and butter is precision passing and methodical offense using the pitch’s width to open up service lanes. France did a good job of attacking the ball, and because they’re bigger, they won a fair number of those challenges, which disrupted Spain’s only real offensive strategy. That’s why only 2 shots on goal.

    Brazil is a different kettle of fish, however. They aren’t a small team and they don’t rely on a slow-building offense. Just the opposite. I don’t think France has an answer to the world’s best counter-attacking team. But best of luck! Zidane is awesome.

  • Marion

    Bye bye Espagna, and viva Francia!!!

    I have to bring people’s attention on the terrible behaviour of Spanish supporters… Not only, they had to be very rude while booing at the french national anthem, but also, they show themselves as being very racist while insulting the french player!!! I have some spanish blood, and to be honest, that night I was not proud of it.
    I was in Brussels for the match, i went with some friends to watch it in a pub, and same scenario there. First they were being very arrogant, and when they realised that the french player were everything but about to retired, they started to shout “No french Player in the french team”… What a proof of intelligence!! I am happy for a french team who played well until the last minute, and kept their heads high all along. Where is the world going, I don’t know. Football is a game, but some probably think that it’s like going to war. So I just have one think to say, Bravo La France for this proof of integrity, and incredible talent….And Hasta la vista Espagna. This attitude is all that i am going to remember of you in this world cup, and i am not the only one….
    Good luck to all the teams still running and let the best win!

  • Haarf

    Brazil has always most of the best players in the world. This year their team is one of the best they have ever had so France is clearly underdog.
    I don’t know if there a solution for us, I hope Domenech have an idea to exploit a failure of the Brazilian team (if any, but I think there are).

    I hope it will be a great game, may the best win.

  • http://www.ifunbet.com Tascien

    Hahaha. did you hear the BBC announcer about Ronaldo:

    Is he fit, is he fat, you be the judge.

    France v. Brazil. Mexico 86. Platini scores an equalizer and France wins 4-3 on pk.

    France v. Brazil. France 98. Zidane scores two headers, petit scores the icing on the cake. France wins 3-0

    France v. Brazil. Germany 2006. Henry scores a winner in the 89th min. France wins 1-0.

  • HateTheFrenchies

    Manuiti,
    Just for your information I attend one of the highest regarded schools in this great nation of ours! Secondly, I am an adult, sure I had a few in me last night when I left the above comment, but my friend do not apologize for me…this is a free country and a free blog for that matter. Further, be thankful that you live in such a country that you can find yourself admist the many different specimens of the world.

    The truth of the matter, now that I am sober, the French didn’t bring it to the game they looked lethargic and old, Zidane really doesn’t have it anymore. And mind you I have no link to Spain, nor do I support their play or behavior.

    Having said the above, I believe that France will be going home. There is no stopping Brazil, not with a bunch of washed up players!

  • HateTheFrenchies

    Tascien,

    France v. Brazil…Gemany 06
    (0-5)

  • gregor

    I really hate some comments we can find in this forum : ex: “i hate frenchies” “no french people in the team” “Henry is just an actor”…
    That’s really ridiculous, we just talk about football, a GAME, just a game…
    Ant, on this match, french players were only the best ! As a french, i’m particularly proud of my nationality and this team, which is totaly composed of french players. They are black, they are brown, white or pink, but they feel french ! And i loved their behavior during this match.
    Sincerely, french team has the arguments to beat an other great team which is Brazil !
    Racists,nationalists and bad loosers are so sad…

  • Manuiti

    Hatethefrenchies:

    With a name like that and your comments, you are nothing but one more racist in this great nation of ours. Your hatred for anything French (as obviously displayed by your comments and your choice of name) overcomes your objectivity for good soccer play.

  • Marion

    “Just for your information I attend one of the highest regarded schools in this great nation of ours! “….. Who the hell speaks like that anyway. Whatever comes out of your mouth, HateTheFrenchies, does not interest me at all. Do we really care where you study?? Do we?? NOOOOO and we care even less about what you have to say. SO, go back to mummy, adult or not. Maybe you need to learn some more!!
    Everybody else, have a great day, and good luck to France and Brésil on Saturday. Let the best team win!!

  • DislikeTheFrenchies

    Marion,
    I will respond to you first, people who have an higher education speak that way! And if you must know I don’t have a mommy to go to. And if you had any brains…….you would use other tactics to insult someone other than “go back to your mummy”

    Manuiti,
    …its just a name…don’t play the racism card..the fact of the matter is that regardless of the name, my previous remarks regarding the GAME are completely on cue!

  • Marion

    “People who have a higher education speak that way”….lol… And he dares to talk about my brain!!! You’re a funny guy aren’t you? Are you actually serious when you speak?
    You impress me with your stupidity.
    Now, you can respond to me or not, i will just laugh at you and ignore you…And I think everybody in here should do the same…. lol. And by the way, do a favor to everybody around you and get yourself a life!

  • DislikeTheFrenchies

    Marion,
    I am actually very serious when i speak to answer your question. But why don’t you answer mine. How exactly do I impress you with my stupidity? Is it my comments regarding the game? Or are you just that lame in your fluency of the English language? And to your last comment…I actually plan on getting a life but right now…I should not to.

  • Jargon

    Great game by the French team. It was like watching men versus boys.

    Shame about Thierry Henry’s antics though. There was no need to do that. France were clearly the better team and all he’s done is besmirch his reputation.

  • Lurch

    Dislikethefrenchies:

    What game were you watching? While Spain dominated possession, it was because they kept diddling with the ball in their half of the field, making tons and tons of back passes.

    Spain was *rarely* able to get the ball into the last third of the field, and when they did, the play was immediately shut down by French defenders.

    Face it, Spain got owned in the midfield.

  • frenchboy

    Hatethefrenchies is just mad that france beat spain fair and square. Anyone who watched the game and knows anything about soccer should be able to recongized that france outplayed spain. The ref had no impact on the final result.
    Marion, I know you are trying to put this crybaby dumb@$$ in his place, but the result speakes for itself 3-1 france won.

  • DislikeTheFrenchies

    All I have to say to frenchboy and lurch, is GREAT THEATRIC PERFORMANCE BY HENRY. you guys really should be proud of such an actor. Because acting is the only thing he is good at, God knows he can’t keep himself onsides to participate in the game

  • Arsenal Forever!!

    Dislikethefrenchies:

    Calling the all-time number one goal scorer (Henry) in English football league a player who is only good at acting :)

    Brilliant! You just lost your credibility for the nth time.

    Have a pint to heal your sorrow!

  • HatetheFrenchies

    Arsenal Forever,
    I call it like I see it? He deserved a Toni award for that dive and you know what, look it up but I think he had like 12 offsides called on him, the idiot who can’t seem to place himself in position for his teammates!

  • Bill

    From my understanding the foul on Henry was small but it was a poor action by the spanish player.

    I know the contact was not bad but it looked really bad and worth a free kick. If it was a penalty then thats a different story. You should be able to defend free kicks

  • sil27

    Hey Spanish ppl… Wake a wakey….

    When r u going to take something real home? When are you going to do something in a world cup?? France is not Saudi Arabia or Tunisia!! Even in your domestic league Barcelona could only win the Champions cup with the help of a Frenchman called Giuly and Real Madrid won the champion league cup with a world class goal of another French man -Zidane! You are nothing without the French! Now continue crying and hope that you do a bit better in next World Cup. Even when you played home in 1982 you were out in the second round eliminated by England! You can never win anything prestigious.
    bye bye

  • Arsenal Forever!!

    HatetheFrenchies,

    Again…

    Best all-time goal scorer in the history of English league football!

    Go Henry!!!!!!!!

    You just can’t take it, can you! :)

  • shuai

    HatetheFrenchies :
    ” look it up but I think he had like 12 offsides called on him, the idiot who can’t seem to place himself in position for his teammates! ”
    You just proved you don’t know so much about football.

    His position let freedom for malouda, ribery and zidane. Coz he concentrated the defense on him. When Henry was offside, spaniard defenseur did’nt know how to react with other french player.
    You can see that on the First and third goal…
    Man you really don’t know about football.
    Brazil did the same thing on the second goal. (even if at the end this goal is unvalid)

    That’s the problem with fifa’s new rules. Smart who exploit it…

  • Le Pen

    The aging all african colonial
    team representing the very
    soon to be islamic republic
    of france will surely lose
    to Brazil. Of this outcome
    there is surely no doubt.

  • Roland

    I congratulate France. Their strategy was the right one, and unfortunately La Seleccion did not adapt, although the game was much closer than the score indicates. Many of France’s shots on goal came after they went up on the dubious free kick call, including the one that resulted in the third goal.

    Henry *did* dive, the video proves that beyond a doubt to all but the most partisan of supporters, but I place the blame squarely on the ref. This style of “football” is ruining the reputation of the game we all love.

    Unfortunately, referees are human and make mistakes, but it is very painful that they always seem to do so against Spain in a crucial match.

    But the bottom line is: France was better (not to mention luckier) that day. The record speaks for itself: Spain always chokes in the big game, despite their talent. When they are faced with a marquee team in a big game they always find a way to lose.

    Alas, I suspect the same will happen to them at the next Eurocup and World Cup. It has become a psychological crisis. A real tragedy for such a young and talented team that deserves better…

    Well, that’s all I have to say about it. Good luck to France. I hold no grudge. As a Spanish-American I can only hope that we learn a lesson from this and return stronger than before. Someday, perhaps, we will be champions.

  • toch

    no one awnsered to dan about his question on trezeguet,
    domenech believes the team plays better with one scorer, and with malouda and ribery taking and controling the sides, i wasn’t to hot about that tactic but it works, so?

    we had a lot of very poor post nothing to do with football, isn’t there another place for these people? it’s the same question i ask myself when i go in italy germany spain france in some of the greatest stadiums in the world= why are they here? isn’t there another place where they can shout like pigs, be racist and sometimes have the chance that a lot of poor childrens around the world would like to live one time in their life, with greater respect for sports values

    France-Brazil what a chance
    may the best win

  • And the winner is ..

    We’ll, I hope the French-haters who wrote on this blog were watching the game today. No way around it: they outclassed Brasil. No fluke here.

    Allez les bleus!

  • Mercury

    Great job France. The team peaked at the right time and the performance against Brazil was worthy of world cup status. Brazil is not as washed up as comments indicate. Teams like France simply outplayed and outclassed the former champions because of talent, better organization and the will to excell.

    France did all the right things. They effectively controlled the mid field. They checked the flanks adequately against attacks from the wings. They invaded the Brazilian teritory with relentless effort and threw the Brazilians off track. Their overall team chemistry was superb and was able to withstand counter measures from Brazil.

    I’m still disgusted by player tricks such as diving and faking injuries. Although the yellow cards were exessive, it’s good to enforce the rule so the game can be enjoyed. I believe players can turn soccer into ice hockey if the referees are not strict. Have you watched an American ice hockey game lately? It’s like going to a fight and a game broke out. Can’t have that in soccer.

    I predict France will win the cup if it keeps the current pace.

  • White Willaim

    I am so disgusted at the referees for giving the French so many breaks!!

    I guess FIFA wants France to win. After all, what a better way to say no to racisim than having a team of imported ringers win the cup!

  • Boyd Lalo

    My Dear “White” William:

    For your information, from what I’ve gathered off the French players biographies at FifaWorldCup.com, nearly all of the French players, be they black, white or whatever ARE BORN & RAISED IN FRANCE!!!

  • Boyd Lalo

    My Dear “White” William:

    For your information, from what I’ve gathered off the French players biographies at FifaWorldCup.com, nearly all of the French players, be they black, white or whatever ARE BORN & RAISED IN FRANCE!!!

    To answer your question, “why are there so many blacks on the team?

    As is the case here in the U.S, the kids who are minorities and thus economicaly disadvantaged put a lot of effort and emphasis on sports as a way out of their economic situation. In fact, Zinedine Zidane was discovered playing in the back streets of Marseilles when he was 14.

    Enjoy the game for what it is; a great game. Please leave peoples skin color or ethnicity out of it.

  • JoJo

    White you need to get over. Brazil lost and there is nothing you can do about it. I hate when people make excuses for loosing when most people who watch the game saw how bad Brazil played and how Portugal couldn’t cut it eventhough these so called old French players are too slow. Now if you don’t like French winning then don’t watch the game anymore and stop whiney. It must suck to loose against old folks huh? That must really hurt.

    Allez Les Bleus

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