BERLIN, July 9: World Cup winners and losers:

WINNERS

Zinedine Zidane (France)

The hero of the 1998 World Cup final returned to duty and proceeded at 34 to prove he is the best player of his generation. Started slowly but after a one-match suspension the real ‘Zizou’ burst back on to centre-stage.

A virtuoso performance saw off Brazil and he kept his nerve to score the penalty winner against Portugal in the semi-final. The most popular man in France and as he heads off into retirement the most admired player in football.

Jurgen Klinsmann (Germany)

Under attack from all sides before the tournament started for his side's poor form and his decision to continue to reside in the United States, Klinsmann quickly turned things around.

His youthful team rallied national support behind them and they responded until two late goals from Italy ended their hopes just minutes from the final.

Everyone in Germany wants him to stay on, but for the moment he is being non-committal.

Francesco Totti (Italy)

Came to Germany with a lot to prove after being sent off at the last World Cup for diving and sent home from Euro 2004 for spitting at an opponent.

Only just had time to recover from a broken ankle and was not in cracking form to start with and was dropped to the bench for the second round match with Australia.

But, coming on as a substitute, he converted a crucial injury-time penalty to propel his 10-man team past the Aussies.

That won him back his place in the starting line-up and he began to play like the Totti of old.

Luiz Felipe Scolari (Portugal coach)

Did not manage to double up as a World Cup winning coach with Portugal, but his tactical acumen and sheer physical presence from the touchline acted like an extra man for his side as they battled past the Netherlands and England into the semi-finals for the first time since 1966.

A Zinedine Zidane penalty put paid to the his hopes, but Scolari left Germany with his head held high and his reputation enhanced as one of the most effective and shrewdest coaches in the world. Left it open-ended whether he will stay on in his job.

LOSERS

Ronaldinho (Brazil)

The Brazilian maestro came into the tournament touted to be the brightest star in the samba galaxy and set to steal the show. He and his side left prematurely after being outplayed by France and Zinedine Zidane in the quarter-finals.

The signs though had been there prior to that. The Barcelona ball-juggler had looked ill-at-ease with the tactics set down by coach Carlos Alberto Parreira.

Angry Brazilian fans in the southern town of Chapeco vented their frustrations by destroying a seven-metre tall statue of the World Player of the Year.

David Beckham (England)

Came here as skipper of the best England World Cup squad in many years with the stated ambition of emulating Bobby Moore's masterful 1966 champions. Got off to the best of possible starts when his fourth minute free-kick resulted in a Paraguay own goal. It all went downhill after that.

England made it through the group stages but Beckham was largely anonymous. They were found out in the quarter-finals against Portugal where Beckham was taken off with an ankle injury and he watched tearfully from the toucline as a penalty shoot-out once again sent England home.

Luis Aragones (Spain)

The combative 67-year-old Spanish coach had a wonderfully talented young Spanish side at his disposal as he pledged to end his country's history of under-achievement at the World Cup by at least reaching the semi-finals.

They got off to a great start by overwhelming Ukraine 4-0 and took maximum points from their group. Then took the lead against France in the last 16 match but were helpless as Zinedine Zidane's men suddenly rediscovered their 1998 style and spirit to turn the match around. Aragones was left holding his head in his hands.

Ruud van Nistelrooy (Netherlands)

Came to the World Cup with his future at Manchester United looking pretty much over after a row with the unforgiving Sir Alex Ferguson but was bolstered by national handler Marco van Basten, who said he would start and he had supreme faith in him.

However three lifeless displays — even though he scored in the 2-1 win over Ivory Coast - forced van Basten's hand and the 30-year-old was dropped for the second round match with Portugal.

Despite trailing 1-0 he was not called upon, van Basten preferring to send on Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink.—AFP