Zidane wins reprieve as France go through

Zinedine Zidane's glorious career was in danger of coming to an inglorious end before France came up trumps against Togo to extend their and his World Cup adventure.

A moment of petulance in the dying minutes of the 1-1 draw with South Korea last weekend earned the French legend a suspension for Friday's stylish win.

And failure to qualify would have meant the last act of the former world and European championship winner would have been the throwing in disgust of his sweatband on the turf of Leipzig after his injury time substitution.
 
But his teammates' sterling work against the west African minnows gave him a reprieve as he returns from that suspension for les Bleus' last 16 game against Spain in Hanover on Tuesday.

"I would have felt bad if Zidane had left like that," said French football federation president Jean-Pierre Escalettes.

Yet given the way the midfield sparkled on Friday night with Patrick Vieira slipping comfortably into an attacking role to feed twin strikers Thierry Henry and David Trezeguet there are some who are prepared to suggest what amounts to heresy in the French camp - that Zidane's place could be under threat.

Coach Raymond Domenech bristled when the suggestion was put to him at the post-match press conference, refusing to discuss the notion.

"How many times do I have to say in how many different languages I have 23 different players, tomorrow we'll prepare for the next match," he said curtly.

Zidane arrived at the Cologne stadium with the rest of the side on the day he turned 34 but he chose to watch proceedings from the comfort of the French changing room rather than brave the dug out with Eric Abidal, who was also ruled out with suspension.

"With all the pressure of this match we didn't want to go out on the pitch, the best thing was to stay in the dressing room," said Abidal.

"When the first goal came we didn't shout, but we were impatient for it to come as we knew that it would act as a release for the team."

"Zizou's going to stop playing so it's better that he finishes on a good note," added Abidal.

"Now we've got two great birthdays to celebrate (Zidane's and Vieira, who turned 30 also on Friday), but let's hope we've got more candles to blow out on July 9 (the day of the final)."

We can only guess what Zidane thought of his teams' performance as he declined to talk to the media after the game, shunning all questions as he made a beeline for the team coach.

But Patrick Vieira, who took over the captain's armband, said Zizou had played a part in the success despite his absence from the field of battle.

"Zidane was really happy with the result," said the Juventus star who picked up the man of the match award after scoring the first goal and feeding Henry for the second.

"He was in the dressing room before kick-off and gave his regular speech wihch he does before every game."

"He was thrilled for the team."

When the day eventually comes, whether in Hanover or later, Zidane will be bowing out from the France team he's graced ever since bagging a double in a friendly on his debut on August 17, 1994 for a second time.

Retirement number one came after France's failed Euro 2004 campaign but he returned last September after answering Domenech's SOS to help steady France's faltering bid to book their passage to Germany.

His presence helped steer France through their remaining three qualifiers.

And now Friday's result in Cologne means his wish to sign off with a second world title is still on the cards.

But the Spanish press reckoned Spain would ensure Zidane's retirement came sooner rather than later.

"We're going to send Zidane into retirement," sports daily Marca declared on Saturday.