Zidane the Latest to Break Portuguese Hearts
Copyright � 2000 Nando Media
Copyright � 2000 Agence France-Presse
BRUSSELS (June 28, 2000 7:57 p.m. EDT http://www.sportserver.com) - Portugal's heartbreaking exit at the semifinal stage of Euro 2000 is the third time it has failed to reach a final in three attempts after getting to the last four of a major competition.
Humberto Coelho and his side were defeated 2-1 by Zinedine Zidane's golden goal from the penalty spot after 119 minutes in extra-time after Abel Xavier handled Sylvain Wiltord's shot.
Thierry Henry had earlier equalized for world champion France after 51 minutes, leveling the scores after Nuno Gomes had given outsider Portugal a first-half lead.
Zidane, in 1999 named World Player of the Year largely because of his two goals in France's 3-0 World Cup victory in 1998 over Brazil, becomes the third giant of the world's most popular sport to prevent Portugal from reaching a major final.
In the 1966 World Cup semifinal, it was England's Bobby Charlton who scored two goals at Wembley Stadium as the hosts beat the Portuguese 2-1 with Eusebio's late penalty for the Portuguese too little and too late.
Eusebio had been marked out of the game by England midfielder Nobby Stiles.
In 1984 it was France again which ended Portugal's challenge at the penultimate hurdle, this time in the European Championship.
Had the golden goal rule then applied Portugal would have won as it led 2-1 in extra-time. But French legend Michel Platini created an equalizer for Jean-Francois Domergue before scoring the winner - like Zidane - just a minute before what would have been a penalty shoot-out.
The parallels do not end there - Platini and Zidane both wore the number 10 shirt for both France and also both enjoyed their greatest club moments at Juventus.
Whatever the misfortune for Portugal events in Wednesday's semifinal augur well for France.
Both England and France went on to win the tournament in 1966 and 1984 respectively after eliminating Portugal in the last four.
