On This Day: France win the 1998 World Cup
France's performance in winning the 1998 World Cup remains a memorable one -- on the 27-year anniversary of their title, join us for a look back at their historic first world championship.
Group stage:
Hosting the tournament for the first time in more than fifty years, France didn't enter the tournament as one of the favorites. Defending champions Brazil were number one, while the likes of Germany, England and Italy were all considered far more likely to take home the trophy than a France side which had failed to qualify for the previous to editions. Moreover, while Didier Deschamps and Laurent Blanc had plenty of experience, the rest of the side were young and relatively unheralded.
Drawn in a group with a dangerous Denmark, as well as Saudi Arabia and South Africa, France looked a solid bet to progress, and did just that. In the first match, they were tested by a valiant South Africa but eventually ran out 3-0 winners, with 18-year-old Thierry Henry scoring in added time. The AS Monaco man was on the scoresheet again a week later, netting a double in a 4-0 thrashing of Saudi Arabia, before a rotated side beat Denmark 2-1 to complete a perfect group stage.
Round of 16 & Quarterfinals
In their first knockout match, Les Bleus faced Paraguay in the Round of 16. While the wiles of Henry and his Monaco teammate David Trézeguet were unable to get past Jose Luis Chilavert in the opposing goal, salvation would come from Blanc. Getting on the end of a loose ball after some clever play from Robert Pires, the defender smashed the ball home n the 114th minute, sealing a quarterfinal place.
In the quarters, a far sterner test awaited in the form of Italy, beaten finalists in 1994. Still boasting the likes of Paolo Maldini and Fabio Cannavaro in defence, the Italians lived up to their stern defensive reputation and the match ended in a scoreless draw. In the shootout, Fabien Barthez saved the Italians' second kick, but that only leveled things, as Bixente Lizarazu had seen the same happen to him. Luigi Di Biagio would hit his effort off the crossbar, though, sending France on to the final four.
Semifinals & Final:
In the next round against a dangerous Croatia team, France fell behind just after the break thanks to a Davor Suker goal, but Lilian Thuram would level things moments later. A double for Thuram with 20 minutes to play looked to have France on their way, but Blanc's subsequent sending off made for a nervy end to the match.
In the final, France faced the holders, and stunned the world with a comprehensive 3-0 win, with Zinedine Zidane's double leading the way. France's brave young side had their country's first world title, kicking off a brilliant spell for what was called a golden generation, with the team winning the next Euros and reaching the final in the 2006 World Cup.
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