France's Victory gets the French Ecstatic.

Sure enough, France had a slow start at the World Cup, but last night the French literally knocked the defending champions out of the World Cup, Brazil.

Not only did les Bleus win the game but they even mastered it beautifully from beginning to end. No matter what happens next, this is a well-deserved victory - especially since Brazil was heavily favored. In fact, last night's victory is now compared to France's defeat of Brazil in the 1998 World Cup final.

"They played better and deserved the victory." Ronaldo said

The French were so much better at playing Brazil's natural, free-flowing game that the result never seemed in doubt after Thierry Henry volleyed in captain Zinedine Zidane's free kick in the 57th minute. The only magical moves on the field were French; the only dancing in the stands was being done by Les Bleus' ecstatic fans.
Zidane completely outplayed his counterpart Ronaldinho, who was virtually invisible.

Needless to say that the game was a huge deal here. During the match, the streets of Paris were virtually deserted. Even in the most posh areas, cafes put up big screens for the game. Then, when the game ended celebrations erupted across the country as French fans cheered the success of their underdog team. Half a million ecstatic people went nuts and poured onto the Champs-Elysées, the most famous Paris avenue, setting off fireworks and waving red, white and blue French flags.
However trivial you may think sport is, the jubilation is really welcome in a country mired in bad news for the past year - suburban riots, student demonstrations, a president who is so low in the polls that he has become a joke, or the loss of its bid for the Olympics.


The French will next play against Portugal on July 5 while Germany will play against Italy on the 4th.