The computer failed me. So I abandoned all responsibility and snuck away to watch France v. Italy. I only got to a TV as the tying goal went in the net; I'd seen news of the France goal via a text message and worldcupblog.

What an incredible match! I'm happy that Italy won, if only because it kind of makes up for 1994 when the heat killed their legs during the PKs. This game had:

• flashes of Henry, despite no goal
• a great PK from Zidane
• professional Italian defending and goalkeeping
• an unfortunate flash of the dark side of Zidane (definitely shades of 1998)
• well taken free kicks, nothing beyond the frame
• some referee drama: the penalty that maybe wasn't, the penalty that maybe should have been, the offsides goal
• good stuff from the world cup, like the goalkeepers embrace before the PKs

Things that are a shame:

• Totti isn't nearly the player he once was
• Zidane didn't go out the way he could have
• Henry kind of proved the doubters right
• Argentina wasn't in this game (I kind of think they were maybe the best team in the tournament--undone by bad luck and questionable tactics--no Messi?)
• (Youtube users who put crappy soundtracks on soccer videos. I've been posting those youtube links with my volume on mute. I apologize if I've subjected anyone to anything awful. I suggest you too mute youtube.)