Magical Zizou Ready to Cast Spell Over Portuguese Men of War

Zidane, the 34-year-old sorcerer supreme, has rediscovered his best, imperious form to help steer France into the last four with victories over Brazil and Spain in the knockout rounds.

Now the Real Madrid maestro aims to account for Portugal just as he did in the semi-final of Euro 2000, when Zidane's dramatic extra-time golden goal penalty took the French through to a final they eventually won.

Another French victory at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday will end Scolari's record run of consecutive World Cup victories, which moved to 12 after Saturday's pulsating quarter-final win over England.

But while France have an impressive record over Portugal, who they also beat in the 1984 European Championship semi-final, coach Raymond Domenech has urged his team to forget the past.

"We've already beaten Portugal but I'm not into statistics, that's history, this is 2006, the reality is on Wednesday night," Domenech said.

France's magical quarter-final win over Brazil has sent belief that a second World Cup crown in eight years is suddenly within touching distance after looking a distant dream during a shaky first round.

Domenech's priority before Wednesday is to get his side off of cloud nine and focused on the job of beating Portugal. "The danger for us now is to think we've done it by beating Brazil, we've got to get the players back to where they were before that win," Domenech said.

"We've achieved something super ... but our work is not finished, we can't let up. For me success at this World Cup only comes if we win."

Impending retirement drives Zidane to even greater heights

If Zidane's demeanor after Saturday's victory over the Brazilians is anything to go by, Domenech can rely on his captain to reinforce the message.

While many of his team-mates celebrated, Zidane permitted himself a smile of satisfaction and handshakes all round before leaving the pitch swiftly, as if already preparing himself mentally for the tasks ahead.

With his retirement looming after the finals, Zidane is determined to scale the peak that he achieved in 1998, when he scored twice as Brazil were beaten 3-0 in a memorable final in Paris.

According to Domenech, it is his captain's pending departure from the game that is behind his renaissance. "I think it's precisely because he is retiring, because he is ending his career, that he's fully focused on the game," Domenech said.

"Now he doesn't have to calculate anything. He can play with freedom and expression, because he knows every game could be his last. That is the reason why he's able to play so well."

Physical Portugal a risk for carded French

Domenech's biggest worry is the fact that no fewer than six of his expected starting line-up --Zidane, Willy Sagnol, Louis Saha, Lilian Thuram, Patrick Vieira and Franck Ribery -- go into the match on a yellow card.

With Portugal having shown themselves to be adept at bringing the worst out of their opponents over the last two rounds, where both England and Holland had players sent off against them, that will be a concern for Domenech.

"They are a quality side who have proved capable of imposing their style of play on their rivals," said Domenech. "I don't know Scolari but I think he's world champion isn't he?"

Scolari, who coached Brazil to the 2002 World Cup, will be buoyed by the return from suspension of midfield playmaker Deco and his minder Costinha.

The master motivator, Scolari has urged his team to create history by becoming the first Portuguese side to reach the World Cup final in only their fourth tournament.

History beckons for Scolari's "warrior" team

"We had the chance to create a piece of history at the 2004 European Championship and we didn't take it," said Scolari, referring to Portugal's failure to win their first major tournament on home soil two years ago. "Now we have got another chance to make history at the World Cup."

Scolari has put his team's progression through the tournament down to a new-found 'warrior spirit' that has been grafted on to Portugal's long tradition of technical excellence.

"The spirit of this team is remarkable," Scolari said. "This is a new Portugal team and it's a new spirit. It's a warrior spirit. This is what we were missing in the past. We had great technical players but now we have added a warrior spirit."