Soccer: Magical Zidane the hero for France

LISBON - Captain Zinedine Zidane struck twice in injury-time as France ambushed England 2-1 in an extraordinary Euro 2004 showdown yesterday.

England appeared to be holding on for a 1-0 victory before Zidane curled in a free-kick in the first minute of added time and converted a penalty with almost the last kick of the game after goalkeeper David James brought down Thierry Henry.

France, who had not conceded a goal in nearly a year, dominated the first half of a high quality and intense match before midfielder Frank Lampard headed a 38th-minute David Beckham free-kick past goalie Fabien Barthez.

Beckham, the England captain, should have put the result beyond doubt in the 73rd minute after teenage striker Wayne Rooney won a penalty.

But Barthez brilliantly pushed Beckham's shot away.

"We did not deserve that, we definitely deserved to win the game," Beckham said. "Maybe if I had put the penalty away it would have finished the game off."

Zidane said: "Fabien made the difference ... he gave us the possibility to keep believing in our chances."

"The game was not going our way and in the end it's a very positive result."

Both sides lived up to their billing at the Estadio da Luz, with Zidane, the world player of the year, and his team-mates oozing class while England showed commitment and no shortage of skill.

France applied the early pressure, exploiting the pace and dribbling skills of winger Robert Pires.

Their first real chance did not fall until the 15th minute when Patrick Vieira's cross from the right was met by David Trezeguet, but the striker's header whistled just over James' crossbar.

France, with Zidane in inspired form and Pires threading the ball through the legs of his Arsenal team-mate Ashley Cole in the England defence, were tying knots with their fluid passing.

But England came back with no shortage of passion.

Substitute Emile Heskey gave away a free kick on the edge of the penalty area which Zidane curled exquisitely into the net from 25m, and James' late foul on Henry was the perfect opportunity to settle the match.

Lampard's goal was the first conceded by France for 1077 minutes.

- REUTERS

Euro 2004 draw