Zidane masterclass
He toiled through La Liga with under-achieving Real Madrid and struggled to assert himself during France’s World Cup group games. Doomed to play in a divided team, hindered by colleagues and countrymen alike, Zinedine Zidane found it hard to play the part of sorcerer without ten willing apprentices.
After a poor season, his second-round performance against Spain seemed like an omen of recovery. But no-one could have foretold the magic used to eliminate spellbound Brazil on Saturday.
Zidane was imperious, emptying his bag of tricks all over the pitch as the ninety minutes ticked away: step-overs, drag-backs, cross-field passes, through-balls - the crowd saw them all. The French captain ran at the opposition; he juggled the ball as Brazilian defenders wheeled around him; Zidane entertained in the way that only he can - tricks with purpose.
Watch out for the chapéu over Ronaldo’s shaven head in the 56th minute, and the ruleta around Gilberto Silva.