France eyes a dream, Brazil a "penta" win

PARIS, July 11: The pride and passion of two continents clash at the Stade de France tomorrow when Brazil and France play the final World Cu...

PARIS, July 11: The pride and passion of two continents clash at the Stade de France tomorrow when Brazil and France play the final World Cup match of the 20th century.

The futuristic stadium provides a field of dreams for hosts seeking a first crown in the city where Fifa was founded and champions who have dominated “the beautiful game” for 40 years. It will be the first final between a host nation and the cup holders and the first in 20 years involving a country that has not won the trophy before.

Brazil, with an all-star cast led by Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Bebeto, have a peerless pedigree and start favourites in front of a television audience estimated at around 1.7 billion.

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They are driven by history, fans who expect nothing less than stylish victory every time they play and the prospect of the penta”, an unprecedented fifth title.

France, home of Jules Rimet who conceived the tournament, are determined not to waste their chance to seal a place among the elite in their last match under coach AimeJacquet.

All three of France’s goals in the knockout stages of the tournament have been scored by defenders, one of whom — libero Laurent Blanc — is suspended for the final after a controversial sending-off in the semi-final against Croatia.

Young striker Thierry Henry scored three goals in the opening group matches but none of the other forwards can claim to have performed anywhere near expectations. The legendary Pele believes the match will be decided in the 90 minutes. “In favour of Brazil, of course.” Pele said he thought the French would not be able to produce the intensity of attacking football they have tried to play during the rest of the tournament because they were facing the strongest attacking team in the world. “The teams will play to win. The French team will not play completely the way they have done.

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They will have to go more carefully. Brazil have the best forwards and France have the best defence. It is going to be a very nice game.” Pele said he thought history could be on theside of the Brazilians. They are the only team from South America to have won the World Cup outside the continent when they clinched the first of their four triumphs in 1958 in Sweden.

Watch out for Mario Zagallo’s yellow-and-blue brigade!