World Cup | Zidane, fraternity and 27 seconds: The top of the great moments of France – England

1. 2004: ZZ in no hurry

We knew since July 2, 2000 how to say “recap the champagne” in Italian. On June 13, 2004, when the Blues launched a Euro which would end badly, we learned to say it in English. This match, we still wonder how Fabio Capello’s players could have lost it. 1-0, goal by Lampard. Then a penalty less than twenty minutes from time. David Beckham rushes, crosses his shot … Fabien Barthez left on his right and delays the deadline, we think then. Because we do not see how the reigning European champions can get away with it. And then… Zinédine Zidane will eventually come out of his box, for the other most famous double of his life in selection. A free kick to equalize in the 91st is not badly paid. But it is not finished. On the engagement, Steven Gerrard wants to give back to David James, but the Liverpuldien did not see the arrow Henry tumble. The Arsenal player cuts the trajectory and is cut by James. penalty. A little vomit to evacuate the stress and Zizou does a double blow. The Luz stadium, three-quarters full of English people, immediately empties. Sacred evening.

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2. 2015: The tribute of the century

It’s an evening that we would have preferred never to have to live. The fact remains that those who were at Wembley could not forget that November 17th. Never had the communion between the French and the English been such, because the British, affected by attacks in the heart of the capital ten years earlier, had already lived through this painful experience. Four days after the attacks of November 13, the players of Didier Deschamps did not have the heart to play a meeting. But the main thing was elsewhere, before in the streets of London, but also during a pre-match of rare emotional strength. That evening, there was the Marseillaise taken over by the English public. But also and above all the deafening silence that had enveloped the legendary enclosure when paying tribute to the victims. The rest would be anecdotal.

3. 1999: Wembley on the mat, Anelka on top

It’s just a friendly game. But on February 10, 1999, England, which thought itself eternal, took two huge slaps. She had never lost at Wembley against the French. She had never had the impression of being so dropped against the Blues. Especially since the fresh world champions arrived full of certainties. And armed with a new edge, a certain Nicolas Anelka who had begun to put the Premier League at his feet and who, that evening, was going to freeze England a little more. Two goals. Two and a half, even, while a third cannon shot had crossed the line well: Anelka enters a new category. France think they have their Ronaldo. The future will disprove this prophecy. Nonetheless, it was a treat.

4. 1982: Robson, 27 seconds flat

For a long time, the France team lived through complicated moments against England. Because, for many decades, the English dominated their continental neighbor from afar. World champion in 1966 and among the planetary major forces, even if she often saw herself more beautiful than she actually was, the selection for the Three Lions gave the French people a bad time. And even used them to shine. Example: on June 16, 1982 in Bilbao, the English set out to conquer again, and face a team that is taking off. But who, before aiming high, will skate on the take-off runway. The Blues lost 3-1 and, above all, conceded the fastest goal in the history of the World Cup. Four years after Bernard Lacombe’s 38 seconds, Bryan Robson stole the record from him. A long deflected touch at the near post and the Manchester United player completes the job with a half-volley from the left and close. 1-0. The Blues lost in the end. But for their good. The sequel will be brighter.

Bryan Robson, England, 1982 World Cup

Credit: Imago

5. 1966: Styles’ butcher’s shop

From the 1966 World Cup, there is not much left to save, on the France team side. The task assigned to the Habs was not easy. Not impossible either. Anyway, Henri Guérin’s men ruined it. A draw against Mexico (1-1), a defeat against Uruguay (2-1) and then a last chance against England… at Wembley. A very high step. And yet, that day, the Blues were not ridiculous. Although they ended up losing 2-0, two goals signed Hunt. One of which could and should have been refused for offside. Four years before the introduction of red cards in the World Cup, Nobbie Styles took advantage of impunity to butcher Robert Herbin and Jacky Simon. The former will play the whole game limping. In addition to having incomplete teeth, Styles had vision problems. But he was aiming pretty well.

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