World champions France have beaten Brazil 2-1 in a rematch of 1998’s World Cup final to reach Sunday’s Confederations Cup final against Japan. Robert Pires opened the scoring after seven minutes with a spectacular volley before skipper Marcel Desailly sealed victory with an opportunistic close-range header from a 54th minute Youri Djorkaeff free-kick to give France a well-deserved victory.
Brazil were lucky not to lose by a greater margin following a completely one-sided opening period. Although they pulled one back after 30 minutes when Ramon curled his free kick around the French wall, France never looked like losing the first match between the two FIFA top ranked countries since their 3-0 win over Brazil in the World Cup final three years ago. The match lacked a cutting edge as many of France’s top players were missing and Brazil fielded largely a second team.
Earlier, co-hosts Japan beat Australia 1-0 in a torrential downpour thanks to a 43rd minute free kick from AS Roma's Hidetoshi Nakata, who has been linked with a move to Arsenal. The final takes place on Sunday in Yokohama.
Filed by Greg McKevitt
