Semi-final/Portugal v France: The day after France conceded a late goal against South Korea, Zinedine Zidane, having been replaced by Raymond Domenech late on, strode past his coach on the way to the dug-out without the slightest hint of recognition.

Arsène Wenger expressed bewilderment that all he kept hearing from the players he knows was how good the spirit is within the team but all he kept seeing suggested "something very different". Three games on and the tales of restored unity with the squad seem less difficult to swallow now.

After the defeat of Spain, the French papers carried huge pictures of Thierry Henry clambering on to Domenech's back to celebrate, other senior players reacted with warmth to the manager at the end of the win over Brazil while even Zidane and the 54-year-old appear to have achieved some sort of rapprochement.

At the team's base camp in the northern town of Hamelin yesterday, Lilian Thuram maintained that the reversal of the team's fortunes had been a collective effort between the coach and his players. His remarks reveal a major shift in approach by a manager whose initial attempts to enforce a rather rigid disciplinary regime had angered players who felt as though they were being treated like children.

The addition of Marseille's Franck Ribery to the side in the months before the tournament started combined with a new tactical formation have certainly played a key part in restoring France to winning ways and now, just one game away from reaching the final, their unity of purpose no longer appears to be in any serious doubt.

"Since the start of the tournament we are a bit in the same state of mind as then (1998)," observes the veteran central defender who made his debut at this level 12 years ago. The players respect each other and forget about their egos to serve the team."

It is all, he admits, in stark contrast to the mood two years in Portugal where France limped out to Greece in the quarter-finals with barely a whimper.

"We weren't a team there, we didn't feel like a solid group and we had the impression we were wasting our time," he recalls.

"As for the changes in the team," he says, "they are certainly the work of the coach. He came to us and told us what he wanted, but you have to understand too that very little would have been achieved if the players had not been receptive to what he had been suggesting."

The reorganisation of French resources has allowed the team to grow in stature with each passing game. Eric Abidal's introduction at left back has finally allowed William Gallas to forge a hugely impressive partnership in central defence with Thuram, while the combination of Patrick Vieira and Claude Makelele in deep lying midfield roles along with the energetic running out wide of Ribery and Florent Malouda has helped to bring the best out of Zidane again.

Thuram, who like Zidane and Makelele, returned to the side last year after a spell in retirement, believes that the restoration of the side's old defensive solidity has been central to the improvement in its fortunes. And after the way the back four subdued the Brazilians it is hard to avoid comparisons with the quartet of 1998 to which he, then the team's right back, is the only remaining link.

"Back then it was very difficult to score a goal against France," says the 34 year-old, "and it's the same here. It's very difficult to destabilise us."

The speed with which the games come around at this stage of the tournament remains a concern, though. While several of the older players have dismissed the age factor, it remains to be seen if the three for whom these finals represent a last international hurrah can maintain the high level of their performances if the team does indeed beat Portugal and reach the final.

The Chelsea midfielder is perhaps the greatest concern for while his game is all about economy and simplicity, he is rarely used twice in a week by his club with Jose Mourinho generally using Michael Essien in premiership matches when a major champions league game is just around the corner.

Buoyed by the superb display against Brazil, Thuram, though, remains relaxed and confident about the team's prospects.

Inevitably, he is reminded of the semi-final against Croatia in 1998 when, having slipped up to allow Davor Suker score, the Guadeloupian broke forward within a minute to equalise with a stunning shot from the right hand side.

It was his first international goal and less than half an hour later he doubled the tally to put the French into the final. He has not scored since for his country.

"That was completely mad," he laughs. "If the same thing happens here, it would pose some very strange questions."

Whatever happens tomorrow night the Juventus defender will depart the international scene for good after this tournament.

Having come this far, though, he is determined that the side will make it to the final in Berlin where he would be in line to play his 121st game for the country that became his home at the age of nine.

"Personally I didn't come here to lose in the semi-finals anymore than I came here to lose in the group stages. For the moment, though, it's good to be at this World Cup. I'm enjoying it, but afterwards, given my age, it will be better for everybody if I stop."

Asked about the performance of his fellow 34-year-old, Zidane, at the weekend, he chuckles good-naturedly.

"Seeing him play must make many others feel they should stop, but it also makes you wish he would carry on."