Brazil v France, 01 July 2006

Kick-Off: 21:00 Local (20:00 BST) Assistant referees: Víctoriano Giráldez Carrasco (Spain) Pedro Medina Hernández (Spain) Fourth official: Mark Shield (Australia) Fifth official: Ben Wilson (Australia) Man of the Match: Zinedine Zidane (France) Thierry Henry's superb volley sent holders Brazil out of the World Cup as France moved into the semi-finals. Inspired by man-of-the-match Zinedine Zidane, France were the better side in the first half, but failed to create clear chances to trouble Dida. That changed just before the hour when Zidane swept a free-kick to the far post where it was sumptuously volleyed past the Brazilian goalkeeper by Henry. Fabien Barthez denied Ronaldo late on to set up a semi-final with Portugal. Prior to that save Barthez had flapped on a couple of occasions, but it was a mark of Brazil's lacklustre play that Ronaldo's shot came in stoppage time. Brazil had strolled their way to the quarter-finals, but Carlos Alberto Parriera's side had no answer to a France team that combined defensive discipline with some wonderful attacking play. France's route to the last eight has involved plenty of huffing and puffing, but the knockout stages have brought out the best in Raymond Domenech's side. Zidane was magnificent throughout, while after the interval the speed of Henry and Franck Ribery unsettled the Brazilian defence. This was the fourth meeting between Brazil and France in the World Cup finals. Brazil won the 1958 semi-final 5-2 in Stockholm, France also won a quarter-final in 1986 in Guadalajara (on penalties after a 1-1 draw) and , of course, the 1998 Final 3-0 in Paris.