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You are in: Euro2000 |
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Sunday, 25 June, 2000, 20:45 GMT 21:45 UK
Raul miss sends France through
![]() Youri Djorkaeff celebrates his winner
Spain 1-2 France
(Bruges, Att: 30,000) France completed the semi-final line-up at Euro 2000 after another dramatic clash with Spain. Young Spanish striker Raul could have sent the game into extra-time after his side had been awarded a penalty in the final minute - but the Real Madrid star put his kick high and wide of the French goal. This was an intoxicating battle between two fine sides, with Zinedine Zidane and Youri Djorkaeff scoring the goals for the World Champions, with Mendieta's penalty for Spain sandwiched between those two strikes. The match lived up to all the hype, the two sides facing each other for the first time in the competition since the 1984 final, which was won by a Michel Platini inspired France. Attack The first half was in keeping with the general theme of the tournament, with both sides committed to attack and plenty of chances.
It was Zidane who picked out Patrick Vieira from a free-kick in the third minute, but the Arsenal midfielder got underneath the cross and headed over the bar. From an identical position, Christophe Dugarry did the same as Vieira, this time from a Didier Deschamps cross. Mis-kick But it was Dugarry's pass which created the opening for Zidane, the Juventus midfielder completely miskicking from eight yards, with not a Spanish defender near him.
Despite the winger's hard work, their first great chance was conceived through the middle, with Alfonso threading a pass through to Raul, whose first time lob was tipped over by Fabien Barthez. Even allowing for the quality of the game, a goal was required to add some spice to the combat - and it arrived in the 33rd minute. Djorkaeff won a free-kick four yards outside the Spanish penalty area. From a central area, Zidane struck the ball with pace and swerve to leave Canizares with no chance. Dangerous Yet the Spanish have shown during the tournament that they are dangerous after conceding a goal - and so it proved again.
Mendieta, who scored from the spot against Yugoslavia, did so again, sending Barthez the wrong way. But the other side to Spain's displays has been their defensive frailty, which had been exposed against the Yugoslavs - and it came to the fore again. Vieira danced through to the edge of the penalty area and found Djorkaeff inside the 18-yard area - and his right-foot shot beat Canizares at the near post. In comparison, the second half was much scrappier, with Collina brandishing the yellow card on five occasions.
Despite having most of the possession, the Spanish were having trouble breaking down the experienced French defence, with Marcel Desailly and Laurent Blanc holding firm. Then came the dramatic final minute, with Barthez bringing down Abelardo in his own six-yard area. Initially disconsolate, the Manchester United keepr punched the air seconds later when Raul blew Spain's final chance.
Spain: Canizares, Salgado, Abelardo, Paco, Aranzabal, Guardiola, Mendieta (Urzaiz Aranda 56), Helguera (Gerard 76), Munitis (Etxeberria 72), Raul, Perez Munoz. France: Barthez, Lizarazu, Thuram, Blanc, Desailly, Vieira, Djorkaeff, Deschamps, Zidane, Henry (Anelka 80), Dugarry. Referee: P Collina (Italy).
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