Brazil, France Face-Off in '98 Final Rematch Amid Revenge Calls

France, who belied their underdog status to end Spain's World Cup hopes, are savoring the prospect of dishing out the same medicine to Brazil in Saturday's quarter-final.

No more so than Zinedine Zidane and Lilian Thuram, the veteran duo with 223 caps between them who are appearing in their last World Cup.

Tuesday's 3-1 victory over the Spaniards postponed 34-year-old Zidane's retirement party for at least another four days, and the France captain was happiness personified at his stay of execution. Especially as Spain had made plain in no uncertain terms their desire to send him packing in Hanover.

"The Spanish had got our goats up about this, and I wanted to tell them that it wasn't going to come in this game," said Zidane who went at Luis Aragones' young blades with the energy of a man half his years and capped a fine performance with a stoppage time goal.

"It's important that he has to finish up on a high," said Zidane's teammate Eric Abidal.

Thuram, France's most capped player will make his 119th appearance for his country in the quarter-final in Frankfurt, handed Spain the lead for an injudicious tackle on Pablo Ibanez with David Villa converting the inevitable penalty. "I thought to myself it's not possible, it can't end like this with me giving away a penalty!"

"Perhaps it's the age thing and this being my last World Cup but I'm savoring this incredible moment. It's really a beautiful experience," the veteran defender added.

Playing Brazil is a dream, even for former world champions

Of the upcoming last eight clash with the defending champions in a repeat of the 1998 final in Paris where France took the crown 3-0, the Juventus defender, born on New Year's Day in 1972 commented: "Brazil have so many memories for me. Every team dreams of playing Brazil, it's always something extraordinary."

"When you run your eye over their squad, especially their forwards, it's a great side."

Another 'relic' of France's 1998 World Cup winning side, 33-year-old Claude Makelele, was equally enamored at the identity of France's last eight rivals. "Brazil are favorites, even if France is a good side. The 1998 game was different, we're only thinking now of our immediate future, which is the quarter-finals."

Sydney Govou, a last minute call-up to replace the injured Djibril Cisse, summed up the new mood of confidence sweeping through Raymond Domenech's squad. "To play Brazil is a dream, but I hope the dream doesn't end there for our dream is to touch the cup."

Brazilians keen to play down revenge reports

Meanwhile in Brazil, the press cried "Revenge!" after it was clear the Selecao would play France in a replay of the 1998 World Cup final.

"Revenge Saturday," ran the front-page headline in the country's leading newspaper Rio O Globo above photographs of Ronaldo's history-making 15th World Cup goal and French captain Zinedine Zidane finding the back of the net.

"Look out, it will be your turn soon," declared popular daily O Dia before adding: "Even if the players deny it, a climate of revenge is expected to account for the defeat of '98."

But coach Carlos Alberto Parreira continued to deny that revenge would be on the menu -- hot or cold -- when the two teams meet in Frankfurt. "It's got nothing to do with that game," he told the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) official website, referring to the '98 final.

"There's no atmosphere of revenge, we're not thinking about that here. We're playing another decisive match against France, just as we did against Ghana."

Reigning champs sweating over injured stars

Brazil will be left sweating over the fitness of midfielders Emerson and Kaka who both underwent intensive treatment on Wednesday after both complained of pain in the right knee.

Emerson was replaced by Gilberto Silva at half-time in the win over Ghana while Kaka went off in the 83rd minute.

"They suffered injuries to the interior ligament of the right knee, a region which hurts when shooting," Team doctor Jose Luis Runco told reporters. "If the game was tomorrow (Thursday), both would be out."

Robinho, who was ruled out of the Ghana match because of a thigh injury, returned to light training Wednesday under the supervision of a physiotherapist and was expected to be ready to face France on Saturday.

"I felt good and I didn't feel any pain," said Robinho after the practice, which included some light shooting and other exercises with a ball. "I think I will be available for Saturday.

Brazil's other injury doubt, defender Lucio who took a knock on his right thigh against Ghana, would be available for the quarter-final, Runco added.

France are likely to be at full strength for last eight clash.