World champions France booked their place in the semi-finals of Euro 2000 after a 2-1 win against a tenacious Spain as Raul sensationally missed a last-minute penalty.

Goals from Zinedine Zidane and Youri Djorkaeff either side of a Gaizka Mendieta penalty ensured the French progressed in nailbiting fashion to a place against Portugal in Wednesday's last-four clash in Brussels.

In a match of brimming with quality, the world champions were pushed all the way by their neighbours and were grateful for a dazzling performance from Zidane and a superb rearguard action masterminded by Marcel Desailly and Laurent Blanc.

Both sides opened a little cagey in what was a rerun of the 1984 final when the French triumphed so memorably on home soil. The French now face Portugal, their semi-final opponents from 16 years ago, later this week.

Jose Antonio Camacho, the Spain coach who played in that final, rewarded Alfonso with a start alongside Raul after his dramatic match-winner against Yugoslavia in the final group game.

France were without the injured Emmanuel Petit and in came Djorkaeff to operate with Christophe Dugarry behind lone striker Thierry Henry.

Henry set pulses racing with a run in the 10th minute but his right-foot effort went well wide of Canizares' goal.

Dugarry went narrowly over with a header from Didier Deschamps' cross as the French began to show the greater composure of the two.

Josep Guardiola's well curled free-kick from wide on the left forced a punched clearance from Fabien Barthez.

The new Manchestrer United 'keeper was called upon moments later when Alfonso's through ball found Raul and the striker's first-time lob almost eluded Barthez but he tipped it wide for the corner.

Zinedine Zidane, who as usual demonstrated his impeccable first touch, fluffed an excellent chance on the half hour when Dugarry picked him out with a perfect pass but from six yards out the Juve midfielder scuffed the ball tamely wide.

Then Zidane made the breakthrough in spectacular style.

Djorkaeff was fouled four yards out of the box and the stadium held its breath as Zidane prepared to take the free-kick. He curled the ball over the wall leaving the helpless Canizares stranded.

Then out of the blue, a foolish challenge from Thuram on Pedro Munitis gave referee Pierluigi Collina little choice but to award the penalty. Mendieta made no mistake from the spot.

Then with seconds in the first-half remaining, a barging run from Patrick Vieira ended with a fine pass to Djorkaeff and the former Inter Milan man shot first time from an angle past Canizares.

The French were a revitalised team after the break and began to dominate possession. Thuram made surging runs down the right and Dugarry on the left as the French showed the authority world champions should.

Chances were few and far between as the play became scrappy and Mr Collini began to dish out the yellow cards.

Paco was lucky to stay on the field after hauling down the rampant Henry as the Spaniards looked in vain for an equalizer but it wasn't to be.

Spain were thrown a lifeline when Barthez was adjudged to have fouled Abelardo but Real Madrid frontman Raul ballooned his penalty over the bar.

Urzaiz then had a chance to clinch the draw in a nailbiting climax and now the French encounter with Portugal on Wednesday is a mouthwatering prospect indeed.