It will be a re-match of the Euro 2000 final this Sunday, July 9, in Berlin when the 2006 World Cup concludes.
France continues their march to the final after defeating Portugal 1-0, courtesy of Zinedine Zidane's penalty kick goal.
A day earlier, Italy knocked the host nation Germany out of the tournament with two very late goals, booking their place in the final.
France won the Euro 2000 final 2-1 in the most dramatic fashion—a David Trezeguet golden goal.
Portugal fielded their preferred starting lineup with Deco and Costinha both returning from suspensions.
France's lineup was unchanged from the one that just beat Brazil.
Zidane did not exert the same control over this game as he did in the game against Brazil.
Though, on numerous occasions French central defender Lilian Thuram, a 1998 World Cup winner along with Zidane, proved to be at the top of his game.
Much like Juventus team-mate Fabio Cannavaro of Italy shutting down the German forwards, Thuram was using all his experience and athleticism to stop the Portuguese threat.
Thuram was named Man of the Match.
The turning point came when Portuguese central defender Ricardo Carvalho tripped French superstar Thierry Henry just inside the 18-yard box.
Zidane then converted the penalty kick.
He never looked at Portuguese keeper Ricardo, took a short run-up and fired it home in the 33rd minute.
Portugal dominated possession in the second half but created few chances.
Cristiano Ronaldo was Portugal's best player, continually running hard at the French defense, using every trick in the book and ultimately taking on the center-forward role.
But Portugal's inability to use whatever crosses their wingers could supply would be their undoing.
Without a second striker to support Pedro Pauleta, Portugal lacked a serious threat in the 18-yard box against an experienced, and well-organized French defense.
Portugal's best chance of the match came when Captain Luis Figo headed a rebound off a Cristiano Ronaldo free kick over the crossbar from point blank range.
French keeper Fabian Barthez, it seemed, could not decide whether to punch or catch the free kick but whatever he did, he was very lucky not to be scored upon.
Figo summed up Portugal's problems, "We had a few chances and we weren't as clinical".
France hardly threatened in the second half, content to soak up Portuguese pressure, and cruised to victory eventually.
Said Henry, "It might have looked like a straightforward victory, but I can assure you it was anything but. Yet again, it was our ability to play for each other that made the difference."
France relied on experience, sound tactics and team spirit to overcome a dubious start to the tournament.
Midfielder Patrick Vieira adds, "We've improved throughout the competition, and we can still improve a bit more."
Against Italy, France will have to deal with many different scoring threats; the tightest defense and best goalkeeper in the world.
What a great way for Zinedine Zidane to bow out of international soccer.
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