Figo you were thinking about exchanging jerseys with Zidane in the 89th min. even though the game went to the 94th.

Your career ended two years ago. It wasn’t enough to waste Inter Milan’s money, but you now have equaled a farce during the World Cup. Only Henry and Ronaldinho have been more criminal in the use of their teams as vessels, to secure plane tickets to Germany.

Zidane you have scored the goal that Henry dived for. Enjoy because Italy has more luck then you!

Meditations from the Mongoose

Yes, if Cristiano Ronaldo would have had a game like he had against France, in the Premiership, then they would have lambasted him.

He played like a dirty little monkey. I know a few dirty monkeys, and they don’t do anything on or off the field.

Cristiano shed a tear at least, like you did when you thought your Cup was over against the Netherlands. Yes, the thigh-high tackle was nasty, and tears were warranted, but today you could have done much better and you didn’t.

That is why you are not of age, and for that matter, neither is Holland’s Van Persie. Both of you need to stay up in the trees for 2 more years until the European Cup comes out to play–that is when your monkey business will work.

Meditations from the Mongoose
www.savagesoccer.com

France defeated Portugal 1-0 to reach the Finals of Germany 2006. Even though both teams employed the lone striker, both teams still pushed forward looking to score.

Portugal started the stronger and created a few chances in the early minutes of the game. Once France settled down, they were able to nullify Portugal’s midfield, especially the creative influence of Deco, who rarely got a touch on the ball.

Thierry Henry proved instrumental in the 33rd min. when he went down in the penalty area after the lightest of touches from Portugal defender, Ricardo Carvalho. Zidane then converted the spot kick against Ricardo, who guessed right, but could not keep the ball out. France continued to hold out defensively, and now find themselves one match away from World Cup glory.

Italy defeated Germany 2-0 in extra-time to claim a place in the Final of Germany 2006. In a match that looked destined for penalties, the Italians spoiled Germany’s hopes with two goals coming in the dying minutes of play. With both teams playing a conservative style, the game was very slow and meticulous in its build-up with very few chances.

Germany’s Bernd Schneider had the only chance in the 1st half just missing narrowly, with a right-footed drive, over Buffon and the bar. In the 2nd half, Germany’s Podolski was foiled by Buffon, who pushed his shot over the bar with a one-handed save. The Italians also carved out two chances in the 2nd half as both Gilardino and Zambrotta beat German keeper, Jens Lehmann, only to be denied by the post.

Much of the same reserved play dominated the extra-time period; however, with penalties pushing closer and closer, the Italians finished off a patient build-up to devastating effect as Grosso finished off a neat passing play in the 119th min, with a bending shot that curled past the out-stretched Lehmann into the back post. Del Piero added the 2nd in the 120th min, finishing off another passing move through the dejected German defense.

No mate, it is not because they lost out of the cup. It is because they have lost Roberto Carlos. Yes, he has been lost and retires amidst what I have seen as a shunning of this gifted left footer.
 

They disrespected Roberto Carlos on that field! Brazil themselves thought nothing of him to the point they didn’t use him.
 

So much fan fair, so much love for R10 (Ronaldinho the lie of the Cup) No love was left for Roberto, who was looked at not as a great, but as a do-boy that had to earn his right to take a shot or even run up the field.
  

I am glad Roberto has retired from International play, only for the fact that I cannot take him being treated that way. Ronaldinho should get busted in his horse tooth for leading Brazil from “A beautiful way to play” to “how much do you pay.”
  

Roberto, I promise to watch as many Real Madrid games or Chelsea if England is lucky, because “You Da Man.” You have one World Cup metal to lean back on and a Mongoose’s respect.   

Kamal de Gregory
Soccer Luminary
www.4skills.com 

Zinedine Zidane’s composure, and tenacious French defending, put a stop to Brazil’s hope of securing a sixth World Cup Championship trophy. Zidane’s smooth touch and tight control showed how great players can find other ways to turn a game even when age sets in and pace has diminished over time.

Brazil, uncharacteristically, fielded only one striker and preferred a patient holding game over their traditional joga bonito–paying the ultimate price of defeat. 

The lone goal came in the 57th min. from a Zidane free kick that found Thierry Henry, who finished from close range, with a side-foot volley, past a helpless Dida.

Brazil’s defending of the set piece was abysmal with most players deciding to hold a defensive line at the 18, allowing French players to press in unmarked on the back post. 

Brazil’s offensive play was even more atrocious though as Ronaldinho was a non-factor, and they simply could not find the space, or their rhythm, to play their beautiful game. 

Portugal defeated England in another Quarter-Final penalty shoot-out. Just like in Euro-2004, Portugal’s keeper, Ricardo showed that he is the master stopper of spot kicks. In an uneventful match, the most significant moment came in the 62nd min. when Wayne Rooney received a red card for a stamp on the groin area of Portugal’s defender, Ricardo Carvalho. The young English striker’s indiscipline—reminiscent of young Beckham in France 1998—getting the better of him at the expense of his country. With no decider coming in extra-time, it was time for deja vu as England tried to vanquish the specter of penalties past.

Simao Sabrosa converted the first spot kick for Portugal while England’s sure-fire Frank Lampard continued his misery at the penalty spot as Ricardo easily saved his effort. Portugal gave England a life line as Hugo Viana’s kick struck the post and deflected wide. Owen Hargreaves then stepped up and converted for England to bring the tallies level.

The drama continued as Petit missed for Portugal, yet England could not take advantage as Steven Gerrard’s effort was also saved by Ricardo. Helder Postiga converted for Portugal putting the pressure on Jamie Carragher to convert for England. At first, it seemed as Carragher had put the scores level; however, Carragher struck his penalty before the referee had blown his whistle, and on his second effort, England was denied once again by Ricardo. Cristiano Ronaldo finished off the contest, placing his penalty past keeper, Paul Robinson as England suffer another penalty heartbreak.

World Cup Finals

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Italy defeated Ukraine 3-0 to move into the semis. Luca Toni broke his World Cup duck with a brace in the 2nd half while Zambrotta—the right back—opened the scoring early in the 1st half. Zambrotta in the 6th min. found himself in space in the attacking third and cut in on his left-foot to fire a shot past Ukraine keeper, Shovkovskyi.

The Ukraine and Shevchenko struggled throughout the game. Their best opportunity came in the 58th min, but they were denied twice in front of goal by the Azzurri. Luca Toni then exploded for two goals—finishing on a header in the 59th min, as well as in the 69th min, when he finished off a superb move started by Zambrotta deep on the end-line. Ukraine is rocked back to reality, and Italy move on to Germany 2006 glory.