But it will be the Italians who are celebrating now. Neither of tonight's sides look likely to trouble an Azzuri squad which really looks to be in the mood. Maybe Henry will manage to fall over one more time to get a penalty or a free-kick on the edge of the box to chisel out another 1-0 win but I can't see Italy falling for it. Cute as ever, they'll know when and where to get the dodgy challenges in so France shouldn't expect any freebies on Sunday.
If the first semi-final was one of the best games of the tournament, the second was one of the most dire. It was easy to get annoyed with the Portuguese throwing themselves all over the place but I really don't think the French should complain too loudly. The penalty kick which settled the issue was as soft as any awarded in Germany. Sure, the defender got a touch on Henry's ankle but the Arsenal man's theatrical fall was a joke. Anybody who condones that sort of behaviour must support the Andy Walker way of winning penalties.
Of course, John Motson and Mark Lawrenson made much of the crowd booing Christiano Ronaldo. For my money it all came from England fans who had bought semi-final tickets in the hope of their team being involved. I really can't picture Germans getting too upset about a Portuguese player being involved in a wee bit of skullduggery against the English. And if they were booing him for diving, why haven't they booed the likes of Grosso, Van Nistlerooy and, whisper it, Larsson who also have previous convictions for the same offence?
Whatever happened to the French flair which was so impressive against Spain and Brazil? I'm not buying the line that, with so many players just one yellow card away from being suspended for the final, they weren't 100% up for it. I'm afraid there was a lack of all the good things which have made the French game so appealing. Henry did little up front and, although Zidane did entertain us with a few tricks, ZZ too was well short of his best.
They will have to be much better if they've to have any chance of beating Italy on Sunday. Of course, it will be a different game entirely and France are sure to play better for the dimple reason that they will have to play better. No doubt the occasion will bring more out of Henry and Zidane but, when Barthez played dropsy late in the game, I had visions of Portugal nicking a draw, then squeezing through to the final on penalties.
What a travesty that would have been, which only makes the French performance so much more mystifying. They have the quality in their ranks which should have enabled them to roll over Portugal in their sleep but, for some strange reason, the opted to keep it under wraps. Holding something back for Sunday? Surely not. At this level of competition there are no secrets.
It will be a fascinating final, a repeat of Euro 2000 in Rotterdam, and my money will be on Italy to avenge their last gasp defeat that day. France had built up some momentum with victories over Spain and Brazil but they stuttered against Portugal and I'm not convinced they can pick it up again. Meanwhile the Italians have improved with each passing game and the mood within the camp must be sky high, with the players rising above the controversy surrounding the domestic game and doing a damned good job of restoring some national pride.
The final must surely be a massive improvement on the poor stuff served up by France and Portugal in Munich.
LITTLE BOY BLUE