Zidane's exit was killing moment: Domenech\nFrance coach Raymond Domenech said he understood key man Zinedine Zidane's loss of control which led to his dramatic sending-off.
Zinedine Zidane's successful seventh minute penalty for France against Italy on Sunday meant he became the fourth player to score three goals in the history of the World Cup final.
A Zinedine Zidane penalty gave France a 1-0 victory over Portugal in the second World Cup semi-final.
'I have not disrespected anybody and least of all the player. I have always said the same, the players are the most important and every time I am with a player here I will be with them always'
A 3-1 victory set up a meeting with Brazil, who they beat in the final of the 1998 World Cup.
Barcelona finished three points behind Real Madrid last season but there is concern the gap between Spain's biggest two sides could be far larger this season.
Spain's captain turns 29 on Tuesday, when his side takes on France in the quarter-finals.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi will again be duelling for the title of world's best footballer after their names once again headed the shortlist on Thursday for The Best FIFA Men's Player.
If France fail to survive the group stage, Sunday's 1-1 draw with South Korea will have been Zinedine Zidane's last match.
The 33-year-old felt France needed to recover the team spirit of previous years if they were to be successful in Germany.
France go to the World Cup hoping the old maestro still has something left in his armoury
Real Madrid lost 4-3 at Sevilla but still finished second in the Spanish Primera Liga.
Zinedine Zidane has had a three-month ban for coaching Real Madrid's B team without the correct licence overturned on appeal, the club confirmed on Friday.
"It's my decision and it's final," the France and Real Madrid playmaker told French television channel Canal+.
The 32-year-old midfielder ended his international career after they were knocked out of Euro 2004 in August last year.
It was "incomprehensible" that Real Madrid paid Tottenham Hotspur 100 million euros to sign forward Gareth Bale as no player is worth that amount of money, former France striker Zinedine Zidane said on Sunday.
Star Italian forward Francesco Totti said he would not quit the Serie A in any circumstances.
About 600 screaming fans were held back by a line of policemen outside the team's central Bangkok hotel.
France midfielder Zinedine Zidane has warned Real Madrid fans not to expect too much too soon from new signing David Beckham.
The ace midfielder was named in the team for France's final two World Cup qualifiers next month despite a groin injury.
France's goalless draw with Israel confirmed a lot of work will be needed to overcome the absence of Zinedine Zidane.
Real Madrid must play with patience against VfL Wolfsburg when they try to overturn a 2-0 deficit in Tuesday's ChampionsLeague quarter-final second leg, manager Zinedine Zidane said.
Title holders France survivved a scare from Colombia before winning their opening match in the Confederations Cup.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances