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In the last quarter-final match, we will find out the last semi-final participant - in a replay of the 1998 World Cup final, the current planet champion Brazil national team will face France.
Quarterfinal: Brazil - France Time: 22:00 h (Lithuanian time) Location: Frankfurt, Commerzbank Arena Referee: Luis Medina Cantalejo (Spain)
Head-to-head matches Brazil and France have had twelve encounters. Brazil celebrated victory 5 times, France 3 times, and in 4 matches the winner was not determined. Prior to this, these two teams met 3 times at the World Cup. The Brazil team defeated their future opponent only once, which happened in the 1958 semi-finals when the French were defeated 5-2. At the 1986 World Cup, the French eliminated their opponents in the quarterfinals. The match ended 1-1, and in the penalty shootout, the European team performed better (4-3). In the 1998 World Cup final, France defeated Brazil 3-0 and became champions.
The last match between these quarter-final participants took place in 2004. In a friendly match, the stronger team could not be determined, and the result was 0-0.
Statistics and facts
Brazil
In Group F, the Brazilians finished first, winning all three matches. In the first match, the South American representatives defeated Croatia by a narrow margin of 1-0. In the second match, they won 2-0 against the Australians, and in the final stage, they crushed Japan 4-1, although they received criticism for not demonstrating championship-level play. Playing blankly in the quarterfinals, they eliminated the Ghana national team from the title race with a 3-0 result.
The Brazil national team participated in all eighteen World Cup tournaments and became the strongest team on the planet in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, and 2002.
After defeating the Ghana national team, Brazil won their 11th consecutive match at the World Cup, thereby extending their record. They need two more matches to equal the record of 13 consecutive unbeaten matches set by themselves at the 1958-1966 World Cup. An interesting fact is that France was the last team to defeat them eight years ago.
The striker Ronaldo, who scored a goal against the Ghana national team, broke Gerd Muller's World Cup goal-scoring record (14 goals) and became the most prolific player in the history of the World Cup. This was already Ronaldo's 15th goal at the World Cup.
Defender Cafu is aiming for an unwanted record. If he receives a yellow card, it would be his 6th caution in the final stages, setting a new record.
For the Brazil national team coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, this will be his 20th match at the World Cup.
Juan and Adriano will be suspended if they receive yellow cards in this match.
France
France collected 5 points in the group and finished second. At the beginning of the championship, they drew 0-0 against Switzerland, and later a 1-1 draw against South Korea somewhat complicated their situation. However, in the final match, they did their job and defeated the Togo national team, considered an outsider, 2-0, securing a place in the next stage. This victory over Togo in the final group match halted a streak of 5 consecutive winless matches at the World Cup. In the quarterfinals, after a tense battle, the French defeated the well-playing Spanish national team in the last moments of the match.
France has participated in 11 World Cup tournaments, but they became champions only in 1998 when they defeated Brazil in the final with a 3-0 result.
In five of the last 7 matches, France celebrated victory, with two ending in a draw.
If goalkeeper Fabien Barthez appears in this match (which is likely to happen), it will be his 15th match at the World Cup, tying him with Maxime Bossis, the French player with the most appearances at the World Cup.
Striker Thierry Henry has scored the most goals (35) for the French national team but is not yet the most prolific player in the country's history.
Franck Ribéry, Patrick Vieira, and Zinedine Zidane may not appear in the next matches (if the team advances) if they receive yellow cards in this match.
Injured players
The Brazilian national team players Emerson and Kaka have injured their right knees, while striker Robinho and defender Lucio have injured their thighs. The injuries of the latter are minor, and it is almost certain that they will be seen in the quarterfinal match. All four footballers have already trained on Friday.
The captain of the French national team, Zinedine Zidane, missed Thursday's training session due to foot pain but participated in the training on Friday.
Players' and coaches' thoughts before the match
Brazil national team coach Carlos Alberto Parreira mentioned the 1998 defeat to the French: "We don't pay attention to those matches. There is no desire for revenge because we simply do not think about it."
"If you make a mistake in the quarterfinal, you won't bring the trophies home. You need to have determination, maximum concentration, and all of that requires experience," added the coach.
"I hope we make Zidane exit the competition," said Brazil national team striker Robinho about the Frenchman retiring after the tournament.
Named the best player of the year, Ronaldinho stated that when he plays, he thinks about passing to forwards rather than scoring goals.
"We have to play even better so we have a chance, and I believe we can because the team can adapt to the opponents and match their level of play," said Raymond Domenech, coach of the French national team.
"Our goal is to go further. We haven't done it yet, but I'm sure we can play better. We are rested and ready to face the challenge. This is the kind of match every player wants to play. We are all excited. Brazil is one of the favorites, and beating them would be a significant step forward, but that doesn't mean we will win the World Cup," said French defender Patrick Vieira.
Predicted starting lineups:
Brazil (4-4-2):
1-Dida; 2-Cafu, 3-Lucio, 4-Juan, 6-Roberto Carlos; 17-Gilberto Silva, 11-Ze Roberto, 8-Kaka, 10-Ronaldinho; 9-Ronaldo, 23-Robinho.
Coach: Carlos Alberto Parreira
France (4-2-3-1):
16-Fabien Barthez; 19-Willy Sagnol, 15-Lilian Thuram, 5-William Gallas, 3-Eric Abidal; 4-Patrick Vieira, 6-Claude Makelele; 22-Franck Ribery, 10-Zinedine Zidane, 7-Florent Malouda; 12-Thierry Henry.
Coach: Raymond Domenech
