For the umpteenth time Spain flattered only to deceive. A young side brimming with zest and talent - after seeing them bulldozing their rivals in the group stage I thought Spain's moment of glory was finally round the corner.

I do have a soft corner for them, being a bunch of hugely talented individuals who just never seem to be able to put it together at the big stage. But then for once when the whole was equal to the sum of its parts, Spain ran into a bunch of players determined to coax victory out of a creaking reputation sullied by age.

Spain did show that their sheer pace could catch France on the wrong foot, but then those ageing French legs closed ranks and youth simply could not penetrate their way for the final thrust home.

The 1998 stars were very much in evidence - Patrick Vieira and the talisman himself Zinedine Zidane, with both helping themselves to goals. But can those ageing legs go all the way - with Brazil lined up next?

The French workhorse who impressed me though was Frank Ribery. He was certainly the livewire, slotting in the equaliser, busying himself creating chances and yes, he is one of those who has age on his side.

It's still advantage Brazil in the quarterfinals, but Ronaldo and company had better beware of a team which seems to be slowly inching towards its peak. And France has tons of experience to bank on, to see them through at the crunch. For Zizou it might just be sunset on his own terms, as he conducts the French orchestra.