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Experience overcame youth in the last World Cup round of 16 matches - on Wednesday, after a very intense and unpredictable battle, the victory against Spain was snatched by the so far unimpressive French team in the championship, which advanced to the quarterfinals and there, just like in the 1998 final, will face the current reigning world champion Brazil.
AWD Arena in Hanover, 43,000 spectators Referee: Roberto Rosetti (Italy) Spain 1 - 3 France 28' [1 - 0] David Villa (penalty) 41' [1 - 1] Franck Ribery 84' [1 - 2] Patrick Vieira 90+2' [1 - 3] Zinedine Zidane
Spain: Casillas, Pablo, Puyol, Sergio Ramos, Pernia, Fabregas, Xavi (72' Senna), Alonso, Villa (54' Joaquin), Torres, Raul (54' Luis Garcia).
France: Barthez, Sagnol, Thuram, Gallas, Abidal, Ribery, Zidane, Makelele, Vieira, Malouda (74' Govou), Henry (88' Wiltord).
Both teams started the match aggressively without much hesitation, trying to score. They alternated attacks. In the 25th minute, Franck Ribery dangerously passed the ball into the penalty area, but none of his teammates managed to capitalize on this pass, and the Spaniards defended themselves.
Eventually, in the penalty area, Lilian Thuram brought down the Spaniard Pablo Ibanez, and the referee awarded a penalty, which was successfully converted by Spain's top scorer David Villa in the 28th minute, putting the Spanish team ahead 1-0.
Later, the initiative was somewhat taken by the French, and after some unsuccessful attempts, they managed to break the opponents' defense when in the 41st minute, after a pass from Patrick Vieira, F. Ribery, who played impressively in this match, equalized the score by confusing Iker Casillas. Afterward, the French attempted a few more attacks, but the Spanish defenders held their ground and the first half ended at 1-1.
At the start of the second half, Florent Malouda had a good opportunity to bring his team forward, but his shot was blocked by I. Casillas. In the 59th minute, F. Ribery once again passed the ball into the penalty area dangerously, but the Spaniards neutralized the danger and immediately launched an attack on the French goal, however, Luis Garcia's shot was saved by the French defenders.
The field continued to see an intense battle. Both sides managed to advance the ball towards the penalty area but the excellent defending on both sides prevented any dangerous attacks.
As the match neared the conclusion, a shot by Joaquin replacing David Villa missed the goal, and soon after a pass from F. Ribery above the goal from the penalty area, the Frenchman Sydney Govou hit the ball towards the goal from close range.
However, in the 84th minute, Thierry Henry earned a penalty and Zinedine Zidane lifted the ball into the penalty area for Patrick Vieira to head it into the goal. The French team surged ahead towards the end of the match, and Spain had to chase the opponents.
Spain pressed the French team's goal, but they failed to break through the opponent's defense. In the second minute of added time, a mistake by Cesc Fabregas in the middle of the field allowed Patrick Vieira to pass the ball to Zinedine Zidane, who entered the penalty area and confused the defender Carles Puyol before sending the ball into the net, solidifying his team's advantage.
The French team won the game and silenced the skeptics, rejoicing in a dramatic victory and qualification for the quarterfinals. Under Luis Aragones' leadership, the Spaniards, losing for the first time in 25 matches, will have to return home empty-handed.
Statistics Spain - France 51% Ball possession 49% 4 Shots on goal 7 1 Shots on target 5 8 Corners 5 28 Fouls 22 2 Offsides 8 1 Yellow cards 3 0 Red cards 0 45 Lost balls 34
