SC Soccer Forums SCSoccer.com Forums College, Pro & International Soccer A Victory for France

France, best known for it's capitulation to Germany under the Vichy Government and the ill fated Maginot Line, emerged head held high tonight from the finals game of the world cup despite their loss in pk's to the Italians. The moment of greatness was not Zidane's soft 7 minute pk which put them into the lead, but rather Zizou's late game departure on a well deserved red card. We will probably never know what series of cultural and racial invectives Materazzi uttered to rile the Frenchman, but I'd bet his Kabyl roots and his mother were both referenced by the vile slick haired Italian. Zidane could have placed himself above this cheap trick -- he'd already been beaten up during an entire game where France spent their good will with the refs at minute 7. Zidane should have risen above this: he had to have realized how close to pk's the game had moved and known his role as the French team's leader with Henry out of the game. But in one beautiful, senseless, hopeless, righteous moment of retribution, the 34 year old Marseillais dean of French soccer, one of the smartest players to ever play the game, struck back . In front of 80,000 fans and the whole world: BAM. Hulk Hogan or Bruce Willis couldn't have done it better... That the cowardly side judge claimed to have seen it at the time it occured is belied by the delay we all witnessed between the event and the final red card. FIFA should just as well decide to determine all matches based on the Jumbotron's instant replay and forever change the pace of the game.

But in that instant between insult and blow, France stood tall. They lost one of the best finals ever, but Zidane did what was right.

With all the man has done in soccer to bad he is going to be remembered for a head butt in the world cup finals and the question..Did Zidane cost France the chance to win the world cup?

I wonder if any of the other "French" players heard any cultural or racial invectives? If so, they certainly handled themselves more professionally.

..just unreal. Zidane is straight gangsta..

Check out the video.

Move the time to 1:35..repeat..repeat..repeat.

Regardless how the red card was delayed or given late, it was absolutely justified under any excuse. But, his red card had very little, to no, effect on the outcome. He played all but 7 minutes of 120.

Bottom line is Zidane is one of the best players to ever play and won't be remembered for his head butt. He's a great player who made a mistake....that's it. It didn't cost his team anything. Be a purist and appreciate how fortunate you are to witness his career, club and country.

To me, two things come to mind from today: 1) Italy are champions for the 4th time and 2) Zidane solidified his greatness, this Cup and career, with the best ever!

laplage,
Zidane did what was right? Hurting his team is right? Giving in to harsh words in such a big game is right? I am sure thru all the club matches and even during the grand Cup, there was trash talking and even racial/personal language used towards numerous players. But to react like that was foolish. If he is the professional as professed by so many, and the 'great one' he should have kept walking.
But it was a great game by itself, even with Zidane's actions. Robbery's near miss and Zidane spectacular header miss in OT, coupled with Italy's incredible defense with Buffon and Cannavaro and the Italian passing made this an enjoyable match, even with the PK determination. I am glad those soccer haters out there can't appreciate the sight of grown men hugging and crying at the end.
I had no favorite in the Cup, but that Italian celebration gave me goosebumps.

It was just a little head tap away from play. You're not so naive, 2004s, to think players don't secretly, surreptiously take out ankles and knees of opposing players away from the spot light of the ball. Whatever Materazzi said was so odious that nobody will repeat it. Sure Zidane was foolish to act as he did, and yes it hurt his team. If he had it to do over he'd try and react differently, but in real time he didn't. A great game to watch.

lpaf

ps: And I don't believe for a second the "fourth official" made the call of the foul as he saw it on the field.

I'm pretty sure the French people will get over this..considering Zidane was/is just magic with the ball.. and..they've wanted to see a Frenchman put his skull into an Italian's brestbone for about ummm.. 60-70 years?

LED --

If you look closely in the play just before the unfortunate incident, Materazzi gave Zidane a really hard tittytwister. Look for yourself.

Zidane wins World Cup's best player award, despite red card!!!