Zidane’s goal is all that matters, another chapter to a decade of greatness.
Few of the greatest athletes in any sport could write a fairy tale story book ending as Zidane is presented with. Few if perhaps none of them came out of retirement to participate in the greatest sporting event in the world and show mastery and dominance across different generations. As such is the greatness of the best midfielder in the last decade and arguably one of the greatest that played the game.
Legends Farewell
Portugal’s leader Luis Figo, France’s leader Zinedine Zidane — former teamates in Real Madrid, both born in 1972, legends of their time; have taken the field as gladiators engaging in their last duel inside a stadium filled with warriors and spectators witnessing an epic battle that span for more than a decade. Both played up to the best of their ability nothwithstanding any obstacles, have bravely and courageously fought for each possession prodding their team to stay together until the final whistle was blown.
Their legendary encounter became deeply dramatic as Figo was carried off the stadium on a stretcher, after smashing down on Patrick Vieira after his shot on the goal; realizing the fight was not over jumped out of his misery and continued to fight wounded.
In the end only one of them will leave the stadium victorious — Zidane. Both players respected each other as one accepted his fate, while the other received his congratulatory rewards and motivation to continue the battle one more time.
Team Breakdown
The game was truly an epic battle that showcased different flares and arsenals — Zidane’s masterful navigation of team plays, Patrick Vieira’s towering and commanding presence, Frank Ribery’s unpredictable speed shifts, Christian Ronaldo’s dazzling dribbles, Deco’s thirst for glory, Lilian Thuram’s great wall of defense.
Both teams were given the chance to thrust the spear deep into the hearts of their opponents with Thuram’s long ball on the first minute almost found the back of the net.
Portugal countered banking on hungry Deco with a low shot which saw the awesome saving powers of Fabien Barthez — building his case as the tournament’s best goalkeeper.
The game was scored via a foule by Ricardo Carvalho on Thiery Henry which saw cold blooded Zidane finishing the kill.
And so the enemy calls Master Zidane for one last battle…
[tags]FIFA World Cup, World Cup, FIFA World Cup 2006, Switzerland, Ukraine[/tags]
I have to say I preferred the Germany vs. Italy game to this one, just for the sheer build-up leading to that crisp one-two punch at the
end–and I wasn’t even cheering for the Italians!
Here, if only there was another goal to certify beyond scrutiny that France was indeed superior… I was losing my voice cheering for them
along with other French fans at a packed café (caffè, i suppose, since it was an Italian joint in Little Italy), but a small part of me found
itself siding with the on-air commentator, wishing for an equalizer during the 90, then another, non-penalty goal from Les Bleus to finish it
off. Alas, it was not to be…penalty it was.
Still, some really good plays: Barthez was impenetrable, Zizou is still full of tricks, and Ribery…I have never seen a man get up from a foul
as fast as this hard-working man. A joy to watch.
Anyway, in the excitement of it all, I got an idea to photoshop Les Bleus into a poster of the movie The Life Aquatic. The result: Team Zizou.
I hope you enjoy it. 🙂