Memories set to come alive

Brazil went on to win their fifth title four years ago and have not lost a World Cup match since being stunned by the French at the Stade de France. Les Bleus, by contrast, have struggled since lifting the trophy for the first time, leaving the 2002 finals without a win or a goal from the group stage. Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said he did not regard Saturday’s game as a chance of avenging 1998.

“There’s no atmosphere of revenge, we’re not thinking about that here,” Parreira said. “We’re playing another decisive match against France, just as we did against Ghana.”

After bringing in some fresh faces for the final group game against Japan, Parreira reverted to his original lineup against Ghana in the last 16 and saw his team pull off a flattering 3-0 win.

His France counterpart Raymond Domenech also appears to have found the right formula, the 3-1 second round win over Spain reminiscent of previous vintage.

Parreira is sweating on the fitness of Kaka and Emerson, who both picked up knee injuries against Ghana, while Domenech has worries of his own with Zidane missing training on Thursday. The playmaker received treatment on a bruise he sustained against Spain. Zidane, who will end his glittering career after the finals, knows every match now could be his last.

Like Zidane, Ronaldo, now the most prolific scorer in World Cup history with 15 goals, started with below-par performances before scoring in successive games against Japan and Ghana. Now the two meet again in what could be a classic encounter.

Match officials: Referee: Luis Medina Cantalejo (Spain), Assistant referees: Victoriano Giraldez Carrasco (Spain), Pedro Medina Hernandez (Spain).

Patrick Vignal