Portugal 0 - 1 France
Wednesday 05 July 2006
Frankfurt, Germany
Cristiano Ronaldo had one last shot in the dying minutes which would have been enough to give him the last laugh. As it was, the fans who booed him throughout the game got their wish and Cristiano Ronaldo headed for home.
It was not a game for the football purists, as the previous semi-final had been, but there was more than enough going on to make it a fascinating match for us Ronaldo fans!
Cristiano ran out of the tunnel with intent, and was one of the first to get his feet wrapped around the ball.
Perhaps the crowd reaction spurred him on, because Ronaldo was the inspiration for Portugal - his fine feet, dazzling runs and movement lighting up what was otherwise an average game. Had Figo been upto the same level, who knows where Portugal could have gone?
Cristiano had two rasping shots that were well saved by barthez, but well worked by Ronaldo, who managed to create space for the shot.
Thierry Henry's theatrical fall to the floor (unbelievable) won a penalty for the French, which Zidane converted easily past Ricardo.
A corner at the other end, Ronaldo was shoved in the back and fell to the floor. PENALTY?!? Not given. His undeserved reputation travels ahead of him apparently.
More superb high-speed jinking runs followed from Ronny, with backheels and crisp passing playing Deco and Simao in, but to no avail.
The second half signalled a seige-mentality from the French. Portugal dominated the possession and creative thinking, and looked close to scoring when Ronaldo's free-kick was bizarrely parried by Barthez. Figo couldn't make the most of it from 6 yards. Shame.
France went through, Ronaldo got a consolation hug from Henry, and headed down to the changing rooms in tears.
It all ended early, but Ronaldo will certainly be pleased with his performances.
