Last-minute Reprieve

It was a sublime ending to an engrossing match, with Italy deservedly beating Germany 2-0 with both goals coming in the final minutes of extra time. The 118-minute wait did more than make the goals worthwhile, it made them positively sensational. It also saved the competition from the embarassing sterility of yet another penalty shoot-out which the Germans would no doubt have won. With Italy also hitting the post and bar in the opening minutes of overtime, it might even have been 4-0. In any case, the more talented side triumphed, both goals were taken beautifully, and the effect was all the greater for being so long withheld.

Due to their lack of firepower up front, it's hard to imagine Portugal beating France in tomorrow's semi-final, even with Deco, their diminutive midfield general, back on the field after serving a one-match suspension. He's a superb player, but he's no Zidane, and Pauletta, the Portuguese center-forward, is certainly no Thierry Henry. France's biggest worry is probably the age of its team -- the second-oldest in the World Cup. If they do reach the final, they'll have had one day's less rest than their opponents, and, unlike the dreamy Brazilians, no Italian defender is likely to allow Henry to waltz into the box unopposed to volley home a free kick. On today's form, Italy are a good bet to win their fourth World Cup, putting them only one spot behind Brazil, who've won it five times. Unless, that is, Zidane can do something truly magical and seal his reputation as the finest player of the last decade, taking his place alongside Pele and Maradona in the annals of World Cup history.

-- Brendan Bernhard

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