MUNICH, Germany, July 5 (UPI) -- Zinedine Zidane converted a penalty kick and goalkeeper Fabien Barthez made it stand, moving France into the World Cup final with a 1-0 victory over Portugal.
France advances to the World Cup title game Sunday in Berlin against Italy, which beat Germany 2-0 in overtime in a semifinal Tuesday. Germany and Portugal are paired in a third-place game Saturday in Stuttgart.
It will be France's second trip to the finals in three World Cups. France won the 1998 tournament but didn't make it out of group play in 2002.
It took a goal Wednesday from the veteran Zidane to get the French back to the title game. After Portugal's Ricardo Carvalho was called for a foul against Thierry Henry, Zidane was selected to try the penalty in the 33rd minute. He went to the lower-left corner, just out of the reach of Portugal goalkeeper Ricardo for his second goal of the tournament.
Barthez, who has given up two goals in six World Cup games, faced 12 shots, including five on goal. One of the best chances for Portugal came in the 78th minute off a free kick that Barthez batted up but not out, and Luis Figo's attempted header off the rebound went onto the top of the goal.
