There are two miracles at this World Cup; the more obvious one is the transformation of Juergen Klinsmann’s team from a potential national embarrassment to national heroes, no matter what happens on Tuesday night, in four weeks.

The other is the transformation of France from potential national embarrassment to potential heroes in three games.

It is this second miracle that is catching the eye now, possibly because, with the departure of the South Americans, France play closest to Brazil’s style; possibly because Thierry Henry, universally acknowledged as a great club footballer, is finally reproducing some of that form for his country.

But it wouldn’t have been a miracle without the contributions of the team’s three elder statesmen: Zinedine Zidane (34), Claude Makelele (33) and Lilian Thuram (34). The three returned en bloc to the national team last August after a year’s retirement in the wake of a disappointing Euro 2004; now, having undertaken an unwritten pact to recreate the past, they are fuelling France’s progress in that direction.

Zidane’s contributions are well-known: A goal of sublime quality against Spain, turning past Carlos Puyol, in the second round was followed by an assist from football heaven for Henry, a deep, deep free-kick which only those two players seemed to know about.

Yet the contributions of Makelele and Thuram are equally significant. If France have conceded only two goals in five matches, it is because Makelele — not called Lord Claude without reason — is keeping the opposing team’s playmaker on a tight leash and because Thuram, with William Gallas, is closing down whatever gets through.

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