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Torres vs. Zidane in Spain / France match-up

June 27th, 2006 | By: Nick O'Neill | 71 Comments »

Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres is looking forward to meeting Zinedine Zidane in the round of 16. Zidane’s Real Madrid have come out on top in the recent domestic encounters, but Torres feels Spain are on a roll at World Cup 2006.

In a nutshell, Spain are fielding a young team of budding stars, with Torres himself being linked to Man U. France have squad of class players, some of whom played in the ‘98 World Cup. Zidane is clearly passed his prime and will retire at the end of the tournament. Memories of what he is capable of inspired Torres to point out “We know they are a great team and we respect them because they have been world champions but we don’t fear them.”

Fans are hoping it will be a goal-fest, with Torres, Alonso, Henry and others firing on all cylinders.

Tags: Group H

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Comments

Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 71 comments.

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By CaliforniaKid | June 28th, 2006 at 9:08 am

France played better today. Period. To ridicule the team and attack them personally only reflects ignorance.

I think what people are also forgetting is that Spain is the world’s biggest underacheivers in the history of international football. This is completely within their character as a team. History was on the side of France. France has never lost to Spain in an international professional game. Thats an impressive record that helped them prevail today.

I think France is back as a verifiable international powerhouse. They’ve had the talent, who cares that they’re old? That gives hope to people everywhere, that age and experience can still beat youth and boasting.

Now on to Brazil. No one said that France could beat them in 98. Look how incredibly wrong we all were then. Brazil is a younger and more physical team, but again France has experience and has proven that they can beat the football giants on the world’s stage. It should be a great game Saturday.

Vive La France!!

Posted from United States

By Davide | June 28th, 2006 at 9:13 am

Congratulation to France!!
Little bit disappointed from the BOO to the French national anthem; anyway Spanish team was really one of my favourite, except for the coach…
Bye

Posted from Italy

By zanganica | June 28th, 2006 at 11:17 am

Kiri. It´s at times like this, when you say that we boo France, when I really feel ashamed of those 4 people that give us a bad image. I can garantee you that spanish people are not like that (I am Spanish and American). It´s that small group that makes us look awful. It´s a shame. I would like to apoligize to France fans and in general for their behavior.

Posted from Spain

By minhoca | June 28th, 2006 at 11:36 am

I was really sad to see españa lose this one… Henry deserves to be suspended for faking injury and getting a free goal… who knows what would have happened otherwise. españa didn’t play very well though and probably would have lost this game anyway. In 4 years I hope they are ready and can make it all the way to the final!

now it is time for portugal or brasil to avenge us!

FORÇA PORTUGAL!

Posted from United States

By Haarf | June 28th, 2006 at 12:12 pm

Henry didn’t fake injury. Look at the images again, Puyol stop running to the ball to stop Henry. (stupid as the ball was under control for Spain).

Puyol could have got a yellow card on this. The point is not a strike from Puyol to Henry but obstruction.

Posted from France

By zanganica | June 28th, 2006 at 1:20 pm

I think you are wrong haarf. Puyol might have stopped (I will watch the images again to make sure that is true) but Henry had enough time to stop and he was behind Puyol, so Puyol couldn´t see him. It´s like driving. When you hit someone from behind it´s your fault. And I think Henry did that on purpose

Posted from Spain

By nono | June 28th, 2006 at 1:54 pm

errr… what??

Posted from France

By Victoria | June 28th, 2006 at 2:36 pm

Congratulation to France! But in Italy we love Spain and spanish and we are big Spain Fans.
Vamos Espana! You are nice people. Your players are young and I think that a lack of experince is the cause of the game lost yesterday!!
Forza SPAGNA!! Ciao from Italy

Posted from Italy

By Haarf | June 28th, 2006 at 2:39 pm

In my mind, Puyol leaves its run to the ball (which is going to controled by another Spanish player) to cut volontarily Henry’s run. In my mind obstruction was clear.
I will look the images again too

Posted from France

By nono | June 28th, 2006 at 3:16 pm

France had also a young yet unexperienced team in the mid 90’s — after the fiasco of 1993. They couldn’t win the Euro 96 but you see what happened 2 and 4 years later… Spanish team still has good days ahead.
Good luck Spain (for 2008 & 2010 ;-)) et aller la France!

Posted from France

By Kiri | June 28th, 2006 at 3:59 pm

zanganica: Point taken, you are absolutely right. Let’s not generalize the behavior of Spanish fans based on the lack of respect of a few.

Cheers.

Posted from United States

By Raul | June 28th, 2006 at 6:10 pm

Screw that…. you think the French were not booing during Spains anthem? The only reason it wasnt heard was because their were more spanish fans and they were too loud. Im not a racist… I live in Harlem New York and most of my friends are black. But when it comes to sports you do everything to get into people minds…. and that means making some racist remarks. Get over it. The French and the world are making a big deal out of something that isnt a big deal. Whenever Luis comes out in full kkk dress then talk… till then grow the fuck up. Stop being so sensative. And like I said in a prior post Spain played like shit but the first two goals came off of bad ref calls. No excuses just the same shit that always happens to Spain. France played just as shitty they were just in the right place at the right time. If Torres doesnt tip the ball in Iker saves it on the second goal. If Perna runs a little harder he clears it off the line on the first…. the 3rd was a gift to a man that should have retired 2 years ago but milked Real Madrid over the last 3 seasons. His Prime was in the late 90s and in my book he is as weak as Raul was in this orld Cup. Enjoy it France……… Enjoy the fact that you played like shit and beat a better team 3-1.

Posted from United States

By fdg | June 29th, 2006 at 1:35 am

dfgg

Posted from United States

By fdg | June 29th, 2006 at 1:36 am

fuck

Posted from United States

By julian | June 29th, 2006 at 3:07 am

Raul, I really hope you get over it man. You don’t seem to be in full control of your emotions. If I were you I’d start cheering for a team that win stuff for the rest of the WC or you might end up so frustrated and stressed that you won’t see Spain in 2010 WC (Porbably to lose against France again though) hehe

Posted from Thailand

By Kiri | June 29th, 2006 at 3:43 am

Raul is a peasant and lives in a world where bigottry and racism is accepted. Don’t give us the ‘I love Blacks’ sentence….you obviously don’t if you defend that kind of behavior.

You are just a little man who is pissed at the loss of Spain and there is nothing you can do but bitch about it and try to inflame other people. What you don’t know is that you are just making yourself look like an uneducated arse.

Posted from United States

By the dude_i hate em racist | July 1st, 2006 at 5:06 pm

heheheh u stop the freakin newz julian u trynna act az if the french can play well but ehh …wrong thnkin baby ..well tht waz all sum good luck they had(the french)n well letz jus hope u get amnisia in 2010 cuz ull neva evn thnk france went thru 2 the 1/4 in 2006 finalz after u c em loosin..mwah…tc…LOOSERZ..peace 2 spain..

Posted from United Republic Of Tanzania

By Kiri | July 2nd, 2006 at 4:36 am

FRANCE WON!!!!!! WOOOOOOOO!

Posted from United States

By Pallavi Barua | July 2nd, 2006 at 2:17 pm

Argentina and France —- the two countries have produced two of the best soccer teams in the world. Both the teams reflect a strong sense of “Team-spirit”.

Posted from India

By Pallavi Barua | July 2nd, 2006 at 2:25 pm

I was amazed to see the players of African origin play alongwith their White team-mates with a “Do or Die” attitude for their adopted country France. Patriotism lies in the heart not on the skin.

Posted from India

By Aisyah | July 2nd, 2006 at 3:15 pm

Hey..i realy upset when spain out…Thy have many talented player such as David villa,Alonso,xavi,Febregas,Torees,Puyol….i thnk Portugal will win world cup ths year..

Posted from Brunei Darussalam

By Aisyah156 | July 2nd, 2006 at 3:35 pm

i cant belive England out…but i like it…he..he..Go Portugal…Go Ronaldo,Figo N Deco..gud luck 4 u all..

Posted from Brunei Darussalam

By anti-kiri | July 3rd, 2006 at 1:52 pm

kiri,how can you say that to Raul?who are you?once you said Raul is a peasant,you are a peasant in my eye.wait! 4 years later,you’ll witness how a old frace be beaten by a vigorous spain!

Posted from China