France's Zinedine Zidane and Fabien Barthez (L) smile as they celebrate their win over
Late goals from Patrick Vieira and Zinedine Zidane booked
France
a quarter-final tie with
Brazil
as they came from behind to beat
Spain
3-1 in
Hanover
on Tuesday, 27 June 2006.
A 28th minute penalty from David Villa had given Luis Aragones’ side the lead, but Frank Ribery’s equalizer four minutes before half-time restored parity for Les Bleus.
With the match heading for extra time, Vieira’s header from a Zidane free-kick took a deflection off Sergio Ramos and ended up in the back of Iker Casillas’ net.
As Spain pushed for an equalizer, ‘Zizou’ took advantage of a misplaced pass from Cesc Fabregas, before turning past Carles Puyol and steering a shot beyond Iker Casillas.
France will now meet
Brazil
in
Frankfurt
in the quarter-finals on Saturday July 1.
Suspended for the final group match against
Togo
, Zidane was recalled to the starting line-up by Raymond Domenech. The inclusion of the Spanish captain, Raul, came as more of a surprise though. Coach Luis Aragones plumped for an attacking formation with young Fabregas preferred to Marcos Senna in midfield.
9': There was plenty of respect in the opening exchanges between these neighboring nations. Mariano Pernia provided the first real shot, bending a 25-yard free kick just wide.
11': Thierry Henry, who had given Puyol an uncomfortable time during the UEFA Champions League Final between Arsenal and
Barcelona
, cut inside from his favored left side and forced Iker Casillas into a save.
23':
France
was enjoying a good deal of possession and they almost went in front following a fine move. Zidane found Henry whose devastating cross across the six-yard box proved too good for the defenders as well as the lunging Ribery and Vieira.
France's Patrick Vieira (bottom) celebrates his goal against Spain with team mates
28': But it was
Spain
who grabbed the lead. Lilian Thuram fouled Pablo inside the box and Villa stroked the penalty low and hard into the corner giving Fabien Barthez no chance. It was
Spain
’s 14th consecutive success from the spot during open play at a FIFA World Cup and Villa’s third strike of the finals. (1-0)
41': It seemed to settle Aragones’ side but
France
hit back in superb fashion. Ribery picked up the ball just inside the Spanish half and played a one-two with Vieira before rounding Casillas and slipping the ball home. (1-1)
81': At the other end, substitute Sidney Govou shot over from 20 yards after more good work from Ribery.
83': With the game looking destined to go to extra-time,
France
struck with the killer blow. Puyol blocked Henry’s run and from Zidane’s resulting free-kick Vieira, positioned at the back post, headed powerfully down off the leg of Ramos and into the corner to spark jubilant celebrations among players and fans. (1-2)
90':
Spain
poured forward in search of the equaliser but Les Bleus’ defence held firm.
90+2':
France
countered. The ball found Zidane on the left and he cut inside Puyol before finishing superbly at the near post. (1-3)
