Brazil vs France

It always looked like it might happen, and now it has. Brazil has been knocked out of the World Cup. They were clearly beaten by France and it was no lucky win.

Brazil had looked shaky right from the first game. But being the great side, historically and on paper, it was assumed that they weren't fully into their stride yet. Brazil were unconvincing in their group stage wins against Croatia, Japan or Australia. Australia was able to hold Brazil for long amounts of time and only a couple of moments of brilliance saw Brazil home in that game. Against Croatia, again another moment of brilliance from Kaka saw Brazil win the game. Even in the game against Japan where they won 4-1, for much of the first half, the Japanese were attacking and got in front with a goal. Brazil were counter attacking and only late in the game did Brazil crack the Japanese.

In the round of 16 matches, again Brazil lacked spark and fluency associated with Brazilian football. The Ghanaians dominated a lot of the passages in play and were acutally unlucky to be trailing at half time. The first goal to Ronaldo was a bit of great play, but the offside goal to Adriano was unbelievably given.

France, in comparision to Brazil, has come good when it counts. France were totally unconvincing as well in their group matches. There was even a possibility that France may have not made it through had Switzerland and Korea played out a high scoring draw. However, France scraped through and hasn't looked back since.

I really thought France would lose to Spain since the Spanish had looked so good and had won all three games of their group with total domination. However, France have shown that they are real contenders and that what happened four years ago at World Cup 2002 was an aberration that they have well and truly put behind them.

In this match, France were totally dominant and didn't seem like they would lose after the goal. France strung together so many passages of brilliant play, lead by Zidane and his utterly sublime skills. He has shown why he is regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world and that age has not affected him. His counter-part, and arguably the world's best player, Ronaldinho, was the exact opposite and lacked any firepower. In fact, you hardly even heard his name mentioned during the broadcast, such was France's dominance of play. Brazil only realistically had a couple of goal scoring shots and the result was more than fair.

With the way that France is currently playing, I think they will make the final and play Germany. That's my prediction, but as always, sport always throw up surprises when you least expect them.