JUSTICE, to a legend, and a team.
To defeat Brazil at the World Cup requires many qualities. Heart. Determination. Organisation. Application. But more than anything, it requires class.
Zinedine Zidane always has had class. A World Footballer of the Year. A World Cup winner. By many measures, he is the player of a generation. A rare, almost unique, combination of skill, of stamina, and of strength. But time stands still for no man.
Throughout a disappointing season for Real Madrid, there were whispers, and stares. The great "Zizou" was no longer the player he was. Age had caught up with him. At the end of the Spanish season, Zidane announced his retirement. But he saved the best until last. He would not be retiring until after the World Cup. His nation needed him. And, it appears, he needed his country.
France began the tournament slowly. But once it got going, it purred. As Zidane worked his way through the gears, "Les Bleus" gathered momentum. By the time the past two world champions met at the Waldstadion, it was hard to pick a winner. Two teams of almost equal ability. Two teams which, judging by the smiles and handshakes before the first whistle, had plenty of respect for each other. Two teams that each possessed a rare talent — Zidane and Ronaldinho. The master and the apprentice.
The master, who turned 34 last week, turned in a master class. Ronaldinho was never in the hunt. Zidane, almost single-handedly, steered France into the semi-finals. Brazil is out. Not since 1990 has the "Selecao" left the tournament so early. Tears will flow, from Frankfurt to Florianopolis, for this is a nation that lives and breathes the game. But there can be no complaints.
Brazil was beaten by the better team, on a night dominated, adorned and decided by one man. The 48,000 fans lucky enough to be inside the stadium will surely never forget it. The day they got to see the magic that is Zidane.
