he'll retire after Sunday's match -- by scoring the only goal of the match on a penalty kick in the 33rd minute. The French, unable to get an insurance goal, held on through some nervous moments to reach the final for the second time in the past three tournaments. Zidane scored twice in 1998 as Les Bleus defeated Brazil 3-0 in Paris.
Portugal had a slight edge in play for much of the match, and they were the first to register a real scoring chance. In the ninth minute, Cristiano Ronaldo laid off a backheel for Maniche to strike. The rising shot went over the bar by mere inches.
In the 28th minute, French striker Thierry Henry twisted Miguel into the turf before firing on goal, but Ricardo held the ball easily. Five minutes later, though, Henry got his revenge as Ricardo Carvalho caught the Arsenal man's shin with a late tackle in the box. Henry went to ground, and referee Jorge Larrionda pointed to the spot. Zidane fired the ball to his left past an outstretched Ricardo.
Just three minutes after the break, Henry threatened to double France's lead. He beat his man on the left and fired a low shot toward the far post, but Ricardo got down to deflect the shot with his wrist, causing the ball to spin out for a corner. Frank Ribery launched a 20-yard blast a minute later, but Ricardo was again up to the task.
Portugal pressed hard for the equalizer for the remainder of the match, Pauleta shooting into the side netting in the 53rd minute.
Twelve minutes from time, Ronaldo delivered the best opportunity of the day for Portugal, hitting a knuckling free kick from distance that handcuffed French 'keeper Fabien Barthez. The Marseilles shot-stopper seemed caught out by the swerving effort, and he could only manage to scoop the ball up in the air off his chest in the middle of his penalty area. Luckily for the French, Luis Figo headed the errant clearance over the goal to relieve the pressure.
Ronaldo appeared to have a breakaway in the dying moments, but he was whistled for offside as he burst in on goal. Portugal will play Germany in Saturday's consolation match in Stuttgart (2:55 p.m. ET; ESPN).
Jason Halpin is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
