Ronaldo, Zidane in World Cup ’98 rematch as Brazil face France in quarterfinals
Two of the most criticised players during the FIFA World Cup finals knocked another nail into the coffins of their critics as Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo boosted France and Brazil into the World Cup quarterfinals.
Zidane – accused of being too old and tired – scored the third in France’s 3-1 win over Spain while Ronaldo – who had the usual ”he’s too fat” critiques flung at him – scored the first in a 3-0 win over Africa’s last representatives, Ghana. In d
oing so the 29-year-old Brazilian broke the record for overall World Cup goals easing onto 15 one ahead of Gerd Muller, though, at 60 years of age ”Der Bomber” is not likely to be able to reply with one of his own unless some wonder drug is found in the next four years.
Ronaldo hit his 15th – one better than the legendary German, Gerd “Der Bomber” Müller – as Brazil emerged from the time warp that for a while had made them seem like arthritic remnants of a great tradition, and desperately vulnerable to the beautifully launched threat of their bitter rivals Argentina.
Saturday may be when Ronaldo finally lays his ghosts but Tuesday was Zidane’s night. Having stirred against Japan last week, the Brazilian’s record-breaking display against Ghana might have been anticipated, but the French captain’s refusal, later that day, to go quietly into retirement was a thrilling surprise.
Their victories means that France will play Brazil on Saturday with the latter bidding to avenge the two last World Cup finals defeats, on penalties in the 1986 quarterfinals and even more shatteringly 3-0 in the 1998 World Cup final. Zidane was inspirational as the 34-year-old fought, harried, probed and then scored in a fashion appropriate for a fellow who could have been playing his last ever match, as he is to retire at the end of the campaign.
World Cup Game Odds: Sports Interaction
World Cup Prediction: Brazil to beat the French by 3 goals to one.
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