sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • Arsenal
    • Real Madrid
    • Barcelona
  • Formula 1
    • Red Bull
    • Ferrari
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes
    • Max Verstappen
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Lando Norris
    • George Russell
    • Charles Leclerc
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • More Sport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • Darts
    • Athletics
    • Rugby
    • Wrestling
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Snapchat
TikTok
Threads
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
A 34-Year-Old Zinedine Zidane Completely Schooled Brazil At The 2006 World Cup And It's Mesmerising To Watch

Home> Football

Published 21:01 3 Apr 2022 GMT+1

A 34-Year-Old Zinedine Zidane Completely Schooled Brazil At The 2006 World Cup And It's Mesmerising To Watch

Zidane knew the tournament would be his last.

Daniel Marland

Daniel Marland

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

Highlights of a 34-year-old Zinedine Zidane completely schooling Brazil during the 2006 World Cup have gone viral.

The Frenchman announced he would be retiring at the end of the tournament and it was effectively his own, self-imposed 'last dance' scenario.

Zidane had already retired from club football with Real Madrid and knew once France were eliminated, he was done.

Advert

France met Brazil in the quarter finals and they were defending champions at the time with a number of legends among their ranks.

Cafu, Roberto Carlos, Lucio, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo Nazario and a young Kaka started the game and were desperate to win a second World Cup on the bounce.

'Zizou' had other ideas. Check out the video below.

Zidane was untouchable throughout the game and managed to bypass Brazil's midfield with ease.

He killed every ball with a touch from the heavens and even started busting out the tricks just half an hour in.

Takes a special player to leave Cafu bamboozled out wide.

Zidane didn't manage to get on the scoresheet but he did register the assist for Thierry Henry's winner just before the hour mark.

The 1998 Ballon d'Or winner whipped a free-kick into the box for Henry to smash home on the volley.

Incredible technique and vision to pick out Henry and from there, Zidane controlled the game and it played out exactly how he wanted it to.

Image
Alamy

Fans have reacted to the highlights and they're in awe at what a special player Zidane was.

One commented: "Zidane had the streets on lock in this summer. He was the talk of football."

Another said: "Man was playing football at a walking pace and still schooled these wannabes."

A third put: "Everyone needs to watch this to understand how good Zidane was."

While someone tweeted: "Stats don’t tell you how good Zidane was. He ran games against the toughest opponents on the biggest stage. Unbelievable player."

France would go on to win their semi-final against Portugal and set up a massive final with Italy.

We all know what happened.

Zidane put Raymond Domenech's side ahead with a lovely panenka penalty that kissed the top of the bar, bounced over the line and then back out.

A moment of madness would see him headbutt Marco Materazzi in extra-time with the scores tied at 1-1.

Referee Horacio Elizondo had no choice but to send Zidane off in his final competitive game.

Italy would go on to win the World Cup on penalties. Zidane owned the 2006 World Cup, in every single way.

Featured Image Credit: FIFA

Topics: Zinedine Zidane, France, Italy

Daniel Marland
Daniel Marland

Daniel is SPORTbible's Senior Social Editor.

X

@DanMarland_

Recommended reads

Ranking the top 10 best golfers of all time as Nicklaus v Woods GOAT debate settledGetty ImagesDavid Munyua and Peter Wachiuri interview: 'We wish for major PDC players to come and visit Kenya'Getty / Instagram/@wachiuridartsMark Selby lifts lid on backstage talks over Crucible as landmark agreement reachedGettyBarry Hearn sends message to Ronnie O'Sullivan over snooker future as Crucible prediction madeGetty

Advert

Choose your content:

7 hours ago
8 hours ago
9 hours ago
  • Getty Images
    7 hours ago

    Bruno Fernandes says 'the rules are different for everyone' after Lisandro Martinez red card

    Was this just sour grapes from the Manchester United captain or does Bruno Fernandes have a point about Lisandro Martinez's red card?

    Football
  • Getty
    8 hours ago

    Man United could be hit with second suspension blow after Lisandro Martinez red card

    Lisandro Martinez was sent off for violent conduct after pulling the hair of Leeds United's Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

    Football
  • Getty
    9 hours ago

    Bayern Munich begin talks over stunning move for 'top target' England star

    Bayern Munich are looking to pair another England star with Harry Kane and have already initiated discussions.

    Football
  • Getty
    9 hours ago

    Man United fans notice key detail missed in Lisandro Martinez red card for hair pull

    Lisandro Martinez was shown a red card after a VAR review for grabbing Dominic Calvert-Lewin's hair in an act of violent conduct.

    Football
  • Zinedine Zidane reaches verbal agreement to finally return to football
  • Zinedine Zidane Targeted by Another Team Hours After 'Agreeing' to New Job
  • Zidane Zidane Set for Much-Anticipated Return to Football as New Footage Emerges
  • Zinedine Zidane Spotted at Bernabeu as Surprise Real Madrid Plan Revealed