BRUSSELS — Zinedine Zidane made a penalty kick with three minutes left in overtime as World Cup champion France defeated Portugal, 2-1, Wednesday to reach the final at soccer's European Championship.
After Portugal's Abel Xavier used his left hand to block Sylvain Wiltord's angled shot, Zidane stepped up to shoot the ball into the top corner and out of goalkeeper Vitor Baia's reach.
For the Record
Los Angeles Times Friday June 30, 2000 Home Edition Sports Part D Page 3 Sports Desk 1 inches; 34 words Type of Material: Correction
Also, a story Thursday incorrectly said France is trying to become the first world champion to also hold the European title. West Germany held both titles simultaneously, after winning the European Championship in 1972 and the World Cup in 1974.
"In the last minute, it was tough to concentrate," said Zidane, who scored twice in the 1998 World Cup final.
"It was the knockout punch."
In chaotic scenes afterward, with Portuguese players protesting, referee Guenther Benko ejected Nuno Gomes, whose fourth goal of the tournament gave Portugal a 1-0 lead in the first half.
Portuguese Coach Humberto Coelho announced his resignation after the game. "It was an unfortunate decision," Coelho said of the referee's awarding of the penalty kick. "It is very sad to end game like this. It was too close to decide a penalty like that. I don't know if the referee was right or wrong."
Predictably, French Coach Roger Lemerre saw it differently.
"They just applied the rules," Lemerre said. "It was a great moment of refereeing. Soccer can be cruel."
In the 19th minute, Sergio Conceicao stole the ball from Didier Deschamps and passed it to Gomes, who quickly turned and fired in a 16-yard shot.
France made it 1-1 six minutes into the second half. Nicolas Anelka, seemingly offside, was allowed to turn around and pass back to Thierry Henry, who shot the ball in from 10 yards.
The French were saved by goalkeeper Fabien Barthez with a minute left in regulation, when he palmed Xavier's header over the crossbar.
"It was really tough for us," Zidane said. "The Portuguese were great."
Still, the Portuguese were furious afterward, blasting the referees for the decision to award the penalty. They were outraged when the linesman persuaded Benko to award the penalty kick.
"I've seen a lot of things in soccer," said winger Sergio Conceicao. "But today I saw something that I've never seen before."
"We are a small country that many people don't want to see in the final," forward Luis Figo said. "We've kept our dignity, but we're going home and the others are staying. UEFA must be very happy."
Figo, hailed by many as the most creative player in Euro 2000, hinted at dark forces seeking to keep Portugal out of the final.
