Zidane returns to the stadium where he eliminated Spain from Euro 2000

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Zinedine Zidane is returning to the Jan Breydel Stadium with Real Madrid this Wednesday evening, which will bring back memories for him and Spanish football fans.

Nineteen years ago, Zidane eliminated Spain from the 2000 European Championship at that very stadium.

Spain had done well to reach the quarter-finals, but Zidane’s France proved a bridge too far in the last eight.

Les Bleus were commanded by Zidane who, at the time, was at his peak after conquering the Ballon d’Or in 1998 and, again, he made the difference.

Zidane was the man who opened the scoring with just over half an hour played, but Gaizka Mendieta did level things up with a penalty six minutes later.

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Youri Djorkaeff restored France’s lead before half time though.

Spain did have another penalty in the second half but with Mendieta no longer on the pitch, a 23-year-old Raul Gonzalez stepped up.

It wasn’t his day though, his effort went over, and that was one of just three penalties he missed in his entire career.

The game ended with Spanish hearts broken and Zidane swapped shirts with Pep Guardiola afterwards.

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