Imperious Zizou sets Ronaldo an example

It was as commanding a demonstration of the penalty taker's art as you are ever likely to see. Off barely two paces and with one of the world's best spot-kick savers, Ricardo, staring him down, Zinedine Zidane drilled his shot unerringly into the bottom corner.

Such is the premium on energy conservation in this aged French team that he had jogged almost all the way back to the halfway-line before raising his arms in celebration. No matter. Thanks to his own sang froid, he will end one of the greatest football careers of this or any age on Sunday in the only place that is fitting: the World Cup final in Berlin.

This was not as majestic a performance as his Brazilian masterclass in the quarter-final. That would have been asking too much. But it was as important for his team.

As Les Bleus protected their lead in the second half, the man who supposedly is exempt from defending defended for all he was worth. On at least two occasions he was on hand to clear menacing Portuguese corners. In the 88th minute he was virtually lying on his front on the ground under heavy pressure in front of his own penalty area, yet still managed to prod a pass to Claude Makalele.

And, early on, there was another special Zizou moment. As the French built an attack, he allowed a short pass from Patrick Vieira to roll on to his foot. It was the sort of position you might adopt if planning to flick a ball up on to your own thigh or into your hands. Instead, he deflected it, with no discernible movement, to Frank Ribéry on the right flank. Even viewed from the far side of the pitch, it was a delectable moment.

As he strolls imperiously towards the final curtain, let us hope that one of his opponents last night has been paying attention. Cristiano Ronaldo was the one player last night with the pace and trickery to make the French rearguard look uncomfortable. He has the potential to be the next Zidane; he slotted home the decisive penalty against England with almost as much aplomb as the master. He could even end up replacing the Frenchman at Real Madrid.

Yet throughout the first half, he was jeered by the crowd each time he touched the ball. This may have had something to do with his role in the incident that led to Wayne Rooney's expulsionin Saturday's quarter-final between Portugal and England. But, whatever the reason, the message was clear: the 21-year-old, in spite of his skills, is light years away from commanding the sort of respect in which Zidane is held. It is not too late for him to do something about it.