Raymond Domenech expressed his pride at France's achievement after they beat Portugal to reach the World Cup final.

Zinedine Zidane scored the only goal of the game with a penalty in the 33rd minute, awarded following a foul by Ricardo Carvalho on Thierry Henry.

Zidane made no mistake against Ricardo, who saved three England penalties in the quarter-final shoot-out on Saturday.

France will now take on Italy in Sunday's final at Berlin's Olympic Stadium.

Domenech said: "We are very proud to have reached the final. It was a difficult match but the objective has been obtained. That (objective) was July 9, but now we have to win the final.

"Everybody wants to win the final. That is our true objective.

"There were two real deeds in this cup. Firstly (France) against Brazil and Italy won over the Germans in Dortmund, and they did it with style."

Regarding Luiz Felipe Scolari's Portugal team, whose players' frequent diving upset many purists, Domenech was diplomatic with his answer.

"I do not govern the behaviour, decision or choices of Mr Scolari. That's not on my mind," said Domenech.

"I look at France and give credit to the Portuguese team. They played well but there's one winner.

"I do not like to comment on another coach's team. I do not like other coaches to make comments on my team."

The France boss was quick to compliment Zidane, for whom Sunday's showpiece will be his final match as a professional.

Domenech said: "It will be the last one for him.

"But for us it's not the last match of Zinedine Zidane - it is the final of the World Cup.

"He doesn't want things to be mixed up and he has proved this.

"He is playing the World Cup here and not his last matches. It is the World Cup and that is what he has on his mind.

"There are other people for whom it could also be the last match.

"The objective is to win the World Cup. Everyone is doing something.

"If it's a bit more for Zizou (Zidane), it's a bit more for Lilian [Thuram] and Maka [Claude Makelele]."

Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari refused to discuss his future after his astonishing World Cup run was brought to an end.

Scolari had won his previous 12 World Cup matches with Brazil and Portugal, but it was unlucky 13 as France triumphed tonight.

The man known as 'Big Phil' had been a target for England as Sven-Goran Eriksson's successor before he ruled himself out of contention, and he has since been linked with taking charge of Brazil again.

Scolari said: "My contract runs until the end of July then we will see what will happen."

After the final whistle Scolari had to be restrained as he harangued Uruguayan referee Jorge Larrionda, but he admitted the French were worthy victors.

He said: "France definitely deserved to win - we did everything that we could, we did our best, but congratulations to France.

"We have no choice but to accept this. We knew it would be a difficult match and we had some chances but unfortunately we could not make the breakthrough."

While Portugal were left to reflect on their exit, Zidane can now aim for a second World Cup triumph, having scored two headed goals in France's 3-0 final victory over Brazil eight years ago.

Domenech said: "He is a world champion with his photograph on a wall in Marseille.

"He affords the French public real dreams. That's always the case with him. It has been the case for 10 years with him now."

Looking ahead to the final, the France head coach admitted he had lots of research to do on the Italian team.

Domenech said: "I'm just happy we are still there. What will happen against Italy I don't know.

"You feel under such a pressure that you feel like you're going to be hanged, but you have to withstand this. At the end there can be only one (winner).

"I haven't observed Italy completely yet. I want to see their matches to get a better idea about what will happen with their play and ours.

"We suffered from the Portuguese team and it was very hot."

Like Scolari, Domenech would not confront the issue of his future beyond the end of the tournament.

Domenech said: "On July 9 at 8pm (7pm BST) we play the final of the World Cup.

"After that I will take holidays and then I will start breathing again."

The Frenchman also paid tribute to those players in his squad who have not played a part in the run to Berlin.

Domenech said: "It is easy to congratulate those in the team but those around have done some good work, they are always available, always present.

"This is more difficult than playing in a match because you're not viewed as a hero.

"The 12 not on the pitch have to be congratulated as well."