Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying

Zinedine Zidane ended his legendary career with a red card in Berlin. Italy beat France in penalty kicks to win the 2006 World Cup. However, the story of the day is once again Zinedine Zidane.

After scoring on a coolly taken penalty kick and almost putting France ahead with a powerful header, Zidane lost his cool in overtime and headbutted Italian defender Materazzi after an exchange of words. Whatever Materazzi said to Zidane, Zidane’s reaction earned him an unquestioned red card.

Zidane’s expulsion likely cost the French the game. For most of the second half and overtime, France dominated the game. But with Zidane and Henry missing for the penalty kicks, it was always going to be an uphill battle. Italy made no mistakes in the penalties and put the game away.

I am sure in time it will come out what led Zidane to hit out at Materazzi, but in one moment of madness, Zidane lost his chance at immortality. Today was not only a tragedy for France, it was a tragedy for football.

Allez Les Blues! France are through to the 2006 World Cup Final after a fiercely contested semifinal against Portugal. Zinedine Zidane converted a penalty kick after Thierry Henry was fouled inside the box by Portugal’s Ricardo Carvalho. The 1-0 score stood until the final whistle but not without some heart-stopping moments thanks to some creative goalkeeping by France’s Fabien Barthez.

It was fitting that Zidane scored the penalty. It was apparent he had the weight of the entire French nation’s hopes on his shoulders and he calmly delivered. Even though Zidane scored the game’s only goal, the true heroes of the day were the French defense - especially Lilian Thuram. Thuram was the glue that held the French defense together against multiple assaults by Portugal.

The other entertaining aspect of the game was watching the Portuguese players practice their diving skills for the 2008 Olympic Games. Instead of yellow cards they should give out medals for the best dives. Portugal, with Cristiano Ronaldo pulling in the lion’s share, would eclipse every other team in the medal count.

Now on to Berlin for a date with destiny for Zinedine Zidane. Sunday the French meet the Azzurri for the Cup.

Zinedine Zidane played today like it might be his last game. With Zidane retiring after this World Cup, if Les Bleus had lost against Brazil it would indeed have been Zidane’s last game. Instead Zidane produced a masterful display of soccer to lead the French over Brazil 1-0.

France was the better team today. With an ironclad defense led by Lilian Thuram, Patrick Vieira and Claude Makelele, Zidane was free to take control of the game from the midfield. Arguably no other man has dominated a World Cup game the way Zidane did today since the days of Diego Maradona. Zidane’s touch, control and ball distribution made the Brazilians look amateurish. Watching the game it was hard to believe that Zidane was playing against perhaps the best players in the world.

Zidane’s free kick to Thierry Henry’s feet at the far post was the icing on this sublime performance. Henry made no mistake in burying the ball at the back of the net.

BBC had this to say about Zidane and the French today:

Zidane was magnificent throughout, while after the interval the speed of Henry and Franck Ribery unsettled the Brazilian defence.

As early as the first minute Brazil were given a glimpse of what they were to experience for the remaining 89 minutes as Zidane glided away from a succession of Brazilian tackles as he executed a quick turn and that trademark stepover.

A Zidane flick that deceived Cafu was equally breathaking, while he held off and teased Kaka by juggling the ball.

Regardless of what happens to France in the two potential games remaining between Zidane and the Cup, his performance on the pitch today will be the stuff of World Cup legend.

Update: Britain’s Guardian calls Zidane France’s zen master in tribute. Sports Illustrated pays tribute to Zizou.

Video Updates from YouTube

This is video of play leading up to Zidane’s and Henry’s game winning goal. Watch Zidane get around Ronaldo with a flick of the ball and a header to start the attack. The commentary is in Japanese but you don’t have to speak the language to understand the exciting commentary.

This is a video compilation with English commentary of Zidane’s play throughout the match. As you watch the video, keep in mind that the players in yellow falling all around Zidane are not just ordinary players, they are Brazilians.

This is a very well done video compilation of Zidane’s play in the Brazil and Spain games. The video is set to, of all things, Rod Stewart’s "Young Turks".

This is a short video clip showing Zidane’s burst of speed as he spins away from the Brazilian defense

Both England and France have advanced into the quarterfinals of the 2006 World Cup on the backs of their respective captains and aging stars. While the young stars of world soccer continue to shine at this year’s World Cup, the old guard still remind us why we love this game and their contributions to it.

In England’s round of 16 match against Ecuador, David Beckham demonstrated why his right foot is considered a national treasure in England. Beckham scored the game winner with a brilliant free kick in the second half. Even though Beckham was sick before the game, he stayed on the pitch throughout the game and struck when it counted. He became dehydrated and vomited on the field during the game. In spite of his distress, he captained England into the quarterfinals. Click here to watch the video of his sublime free kick.

Zinedine Zidane is perhaps the greatest soccer player of our time. He may also be one of the greatest of all time. He is a master on the ball and his passing and dribbling are nothing short of art. On top of all that, he is a magnificent goal scorer. Zidane has said that he will retire after this World Cup. With that in mind, I watched today’s round of 16 match between France and Spain. France prevailed 3-1 against the Spaniards. France’s second goal came off of Zidane’s free kick and Zidane put the game away with a wonderful solo effort for a third goal with time running out. YouTube does not yet have video of today’s match. So, instead, here are two videos of Zidane’s goals while playing for Real Madrid. In the first video the Irish commentator apparently has an orgasm from watching Zidane score. In the second video, the Spanish commentator wins the prize for the longest rendition of "gooaaaaal" ever captured on tape. Enjoy!