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Zinedine Zidane's Highlights In The 2006 World Cup Vs Brazil Are Outstanding

Zinedine Zidane's Highlights In The 2006 World Cup Vs Brazil Are Outstanding

The French midfielder is best known for his two goals in the final eight years previously but he was brilliant in the quarters.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

Zinedine Zidane's most famous match against Brazil in the World Cup came in the final in 1998 but his better performance came two tournaments later in the quarter final in 2006.

In France 98 Zidane's performances helped his country reach the final and he bagged twice against then holders Brazil to win the World Cup for the first time.

However eight years later he was at it again and inspired the team in the quarter finals with an outstanding display against the South Americans, setting up Thierry Henry for the only goal of the game.

Zizou's personal highlights of the match are a site to behold.

The French had followed up their win as hosts in 98 by winning the Euros two years later but they were huge failures at the next World Cup.

They lost the opener in South Korea and Japan to Senegal in one of the biggest shocks in the tournament's history and were knocked out of the group stage, failing to qualify for the knockout stages.

Four years later and Zidane went into the tournament knowing that he would retire at the end of it, making France's last game in Germany his last ever.

The Real Madrid midfielder was again brilliant, despite his advancing years, and was brilliant in Germany, especially in the quarter final.

However once again his best performance is not his best remembered one, with that coming controversially in the final.

The former Juventus scored a panenka from the penalty spot to put his side ahead against Italy but was sent off late in the game for headbutting Marco Materazzi.

His moment of madness, spotted by the fourth official, led to one of the most iconic moments in the modern game as the retiring Zidane walked past the World Cup trophy, head slumped, and out of football.

Zidane walks off the pitch after his red card. Image: PA Images
Zidane walks off the pitch after his red card. Image: PA Images

Speaking recently about the incident winning World Cup manager Marcello Lippi told Rai Radio 1, "I was pretty stunned by Zidane's behaviour. I worked with him at Juventus, he is an extraordinary person, really humble and intelligent."

If it weren't for his incredible performance against Brazil though, France never would have been in that final.

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Topics: Football News, 2006 World Cup, International Football, World Cup, Spain, France, Brazil, Real Madrid, La Liga, Football News, 2006 World Cup, International Football, World Cup, Spain, France, Brazil, Real Madrid, La Liga