Domenech composes the perfect script to silence the World Champions

How do you say "Deja-vu" in Portuguese. The literal English translation of "already seen" was etched in the minds, heats and souls of everyone connected with Brazilian football in the quarter final against France in Frankfurt on Saturday. Lots of "oh la la" and a silent samba drum... quite the upset indeed.
Ever since that horrific, shocking exit in 2002, and the tame exit to Greece in Euro 2004, the French national team has turned from the heroes of France (who famously won major tournaments in succession in 98 and 2000) to the old, aging knights of a table which is not so round anymore. They have been chastised into a French wine which does not gain vintage with age... they have been sacrificial lambs up for the slaughter on the back of a series of deplorable displays from a side once deemed "The Brazil of Europe".

How ironic is it that fate has a cruel and vindictive way of twisting hands and putting the shoe, quite literally in this case, on the other foot. France, heavily favoured in 2002, despite the absence of the likes of Pires and Zidane, were humbled at the hands of Senegal and Denmark; eliminated without scoring a single goal. 4 years on, revenge could not have come any sweeter. I say this with the knowledge that the French themselves were the underdogs in this game against the much favoured, World Champions, Brazil. "Revenge is a dish best served cold".

France outplayed Brazil with a complete display in tandem with an overwhelming aura of industry and flair. The men with hard hats in the midfield (Vieira and Makelele) allowed the more elegant Zidane and Ribery the room to operate and reek havoc on Brazil's petrified back line and seemingly non existent defensive midfield. In truth, one could make an argument to state that France's performance was as much Brazil's undoing as French achievement. There was too big a separation between Brazil's attack and their midfield. Ronaldinho and Kaka played far too close to Ronaldo than necessary. Gilberto and Ze Reberto lacked consistency in their positioning in defensive midfield... leaving Lyon's Juninho looking like a 5 year old stuck in the middle of Parisian roundabout (how ironic he plays in the French league). Brazil were an absolute mess!

Having said that, the master of the show, the chorus and heartbeat of Domenech's symphony was undoubtedly the mercurial, magic man Zidane. Describing him in such a magnificent manor was almost word of mouth 3-4 years ago, but a series of deeply disappointing, trophy-less seasons at Real Madrid (coupled with mediocre displays with the national team) have led some people to question the eternal greatness of the man nicknamed "Harry Potter". Zizou controlled this match from central midfield as if he were a chef cooking a banquet for the United Nations. His deftness in possession, accuracy in passing, and lethalness on set pieces provided the stranglehold France needed on the game against their illustrious opponents. Almost on cue, Zidane gorgeously whipped in the free kick that Henry guided home past Dida to secure "victoire" for les blues. Nothing short of an utterly breathtaking display from the man who is "back from the dead" to rescue the reputation of French football. Ces't manifique?