1998 FIFA World Cup Final

1998 FIFA World Cup Final

The Stade de France held the final
Event	1998 FIFA World Cup
Brazil France 0 3
Date	12 July 1998
Venue	Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Man of the Match	Zinedine Zidane (France)
Referee	Said Belqola (Morocco)
Attendance	80,000
Weather	Clear 23 °C (73 °F)[1]

The 1998 FIFA World Cup Final was a football match that was played on 12 July 1998 at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis to determine the winner of the 1998 FIFA World Cup. The final was contested by Brazil, who were the defending champions having won the previous FIFA World Cup four years earlier in 1994,^[2] and the host nation France, who had reached the final of the tournament for the first time.^[3] France won the match 3–0 to claim the World Cup for the first time, with the timing of the match two days before Bastille Day adding to the significance of the victory.^[4][5] Zinedine Zidane, who was named man of the match, scored twice before half-time and Emmanuel Petit added a third goal in the last minute. The match had an attendance in the region of 75,000.^[4]

On their way to the final, defending champions Brazil, coached by legend Mário Zagallo, recorded victories over Scotland (2–1) and Morocco (3–0) to top their group with 6 points from three matches, suffering a surprise 2–1 defeat at the hands of Norway in their final group game. After a 4–1 win over Chile and a 3–2 success against Denmark, they reached the final with a penalty shoot-out victory over the Netherlands. As for France, they sailed through the group stages with three victories and defeated Paraguay in the knockout stages on golden goals. They had a penalty-shootout with Italy in the quarter-finals, and defeated recently formed Croatia to reach the final at the Stade de France. This brand-new, state-of-the-art stadium, located just north of the French capital of Paris, had been built for this competition and to host the final match; no other stadium in France had the capacity this stadium had. This was also not the first time the Parisian area had hosted a World Cup final- when France hosted the World Cup in 1938, the final match in that tournament between Italy and Hungary was played at the Stade Olympique de Colombes, also in Paris.

The match also saw speculation on the condition of the Brazilian striker Ronaldo, who suffered a convulsive fit on the eve of the match.^[6][7] After initially being left out of the team sheet, in spite of his physical state, it was announced just 72 minutes before kick-off that he was going to play.^[4] In the match, he sustained an injury in a clash with French goalkeeper Fabien Barthez. Although it was believed that the decision to play Ronaldo had backfired, it was understandable as the player had been a crucial member of the side throughout the tournament, having scored four goals and created three more.^[8]

France followed up their victory by qualifying for and winning UEFA Euro 2000 held in the Netherlands and Belgium.^[9] Brazil took the Copa America title in 1999, and then won the next FIFA World Cup in Japan and South Korea in 2002.^[10][11] Ronaldo went on to set the record for goals in World Cups, which was later broken by Miroslav Klose of Germany in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.^[12]

For Brazil, this marked only the second time that they had lost a World Cup final, following their 2–1 upset loss to Uruguay in the de facto final of the 1950 FIFA World Cup. The 3–0 scoreline was also Brazil's previous largest loss at any World Cup match prior to their 7–1 loss to Germany in the semifinals of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Route to the final

Brazil		Round	France
Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts  Brazil 3 2 0 1 6 3 +3 6  Norway 3 1 2 0 5 4 +1 5  Morocco 3 1 1 1 5 5 0 4  Scotland 3 0 1 2 2 6 −4 1		Group stage	Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts  France 3 3 0 0 9 1 +8 9  Denmark 3 1 1 1 3 3 0 4  South Africa 3 0 2 1 3 6 −3 2  Saudi Arabia 3 0 1 2 2 7 −5 1
Opponent	Result	Knockout stage	Opponent	Result
Chile	4–1	First knockout round	Paraguay	1–0 (a.s.d.e.t.)
Denmark	3–2	Quarter-finals	Italy	0–0 (4–3 pen.)
Netherlands	1–1 (4–2 pen.)	Semi-finals	Croatia	2–1

Brazil

Brazil were drawn in Group A for the group stages alongside Scotland, Morocco and Norway. They recorded victories over Scotland (2–1) and Morocco (3–0) to progress but lost their final game 2–1 to Norway.

They next faced Group B runners-up Chile in the last-16 and comprehensively won 4–1, Ronaldo and César Sampaio each scoring twice. In the quarter-finals, they played Denmark, who had also won their previous game 4–1 (against Nigeria), but Brazil won a tight game 3–2. Despite being 1–0 down to a Martin Jorgensen goal in the second minute, Brazil turned the game around in their favour with goals from Bebeto (11) and Rivaldo (27). Brian Laudrup equalised for Denmark after 50 minutes but Brazil won the game 10 minutes later courtesy of a second from Rivaldo.

In the semi-finals, Brazil faced the Netherlands in Marseille. The game finished 1–1 at full-time, Ronaldo scoring just after half-time and Patrick Kluivert equalising for the Netherlands in the 87th minute, and the score remained the same through extra-time. The match had to be settled by penalties which Brazil won 4–2 to reach their second successive World Cup final.

France

France were drawn in Group C alongside Denmark, South Africa and Saudi Arabia. They started their campaign with an easy 3–0 win over South Africa followed by a convincing 4–0 win over Saudi Arabia. France secured top spot in their group courtesy of a 2–1 win over Denmark with goals from Youri Djorkaeff and Emmanuel Petit.

In the second round they faced Group D runners-up Paraguay. France won a close encounter 1–0 in extra time thanks to a golden goal scored by Laurent Blanc. In the quarter-finals France faced Italy who had also scraped through to the quarter-finals with a 1–0 win over Norway. A tense match ended 0–0 after extra time and France won 4–3 on penalties after Italy's Luigi Di Biagio struck his penalty onto the crossbar.

In the semi-finals, France faced tournament surprise Croatia. After a goal-less first half, Croatia took the lead in the first minute of the second half through Davor Šuker, his fifth goal of the tournament. France responded immediately with Lilian Thuram scoring his first international goal. Thuram then added a second twenty minutes from time to send France to their first ever World Cup final. The match ended in controversy however when Laurent Blanc was sent off after a skirmish with Croatia's Slaven Bilić. Bilić had sunk down to his knees, seemingly in pain. Replays showed, however, that there was minimal contact between the players. Blanc's expulsion meant he would miss the final.

Match

Summary

The build-up was dominated by the fitness of Brazil's star striker, Ronaldo, amid reports that he had suffered a pre-match fit.^[6]

Zinedine Zidane gave France the lead just before the half-hour mark with a header from an in-swinging corner from the right taken by Emmanuel Petit. Only minutes later, Ronaldo was put through on goal by a long ball from Dunga, but he could not get the better of the onrushing Fabien Barthez, who collided with the Brazilian striker. Both needed assistance from the squad medics but quickly recovered. Brazil's superstar playmakers Leonardo and Rivaldo were kept quiet by Didier Deschamps and Christian Karembeu. Zidane doubled France's advantage on the stroke of half-time with an almost identical goal, this time the corner came from the left. In the second half, Ronaldo had a chance to halve the deficit. The ball fell for him inside the penalty box, but he could only plant his shot into Barthez's arms. Midfielder Emmanuel Petit wrapped up the scoring in the 90th minute, after receiving a perfect through ball from his Arsenal team mate Patrick Vieira, putting the victory beyond all doubt by slotting the ball low into the net. France had to survive the last 20 minutes with only 10 men with the dismissal of Marcel Desailly.^[13]

Details

Brazil  v  France

12 July 1998 21:00

Brazil	0–3	France
	Report	Zidane  27', 45+1' Petit  90+3'

Stade de France, Saint-Denis Attendance: 80,000 Referee: Said Belqola (Morocco)

Brazil

France

GK 1 Claudio Taffarel RB 2 Cafu CB 3 Aldair CB 4 Junior Baiano  33' LB 6 Roberto Carlos CM 5 César Sampaio  73' CM 8 Dunga (c) AM 10 Rivaldo AM 18 Leonardo  46' CF 20 Bebeto CF 9 Ronaldo Substitutes: MF 19 Denílson  46' FW 21 Edmundo  73' Manager: Mário Zagallo

GK 16 Fabien Barthez RB 15 Lilian Thuram CB 8 Marcel Desailly  48', 68' CB 18 Frank Leboeuf LB 3 Bixente Lizarazu DM 7 Didier Deschamps (c)  39' CM 19 Christian Karembeu  56'  57' CM 17 Emmanuel Petit AM 10 Zinedine Zidane AM 6 Youri Djorkaeff  74' CF 9 Stéphane Guivarc'h  66' Substitutes: MF 14 Alain Boghossian  57' FW 21 Christophe Dugarry  66' MF 4 Patrick Vieira  74' Manager: Aimé Jacquet

Man of the Match: Zinedine Zidane (France) Assistant referees: Mark Warren (England) Achmat Salie (South Africa) Fourth official: Rahman Al Zaid (Saudi Arabia)

Match rules 90 minutes 30 minutes of extra-time if necessary Penalty shoot-out if scores still level. Maximum of three substitutions.

Statistics

	Brazil[14]	France[14]
Goals scored	0	3
Total shots	12	13
Shots on target	7	5
Ball possession	34%	66%
Fouls committed	15	13
Offsides	5	3
Yellow cards	1	6
Second yellow card & red card	0	1
Red cards	0	0

• Ref for statistics

Broadcasting

As one of the major world sporting events, the 1998 FIFA World Cup Final was covered in some part by most broadcasters. It came before the expansion of the internet, therefore online coverage was not extensive.

Asia

Southeast Asia

• In Indonesia the final was broadcast simultaneously by the six major terrestrial networks names RCTI was relayed simulcast all nationalwide free-to-air television broadcaster networks names TVRI, RCTI, SCTV, TPI, ANTeve and Indosiar which used the final was broadcast simultaneously by the six major terrestrial networks names TVRI, RCTI, SCTV, TPI, ANTeve and Indosiar.
• In Malaysia the final was broadcast simultaneously by the two major free-to-air terrestrial television stations such: RTM (the final was broadcast simultaneously by the two major state-owned government public free-to-air terrestrial television channels: TV1 and TV2) and STMB (the final was broadcast simultaneously by the three major private commercial free-to-air terrestrial television channels: TV3, MetroVision Channel 8 and NTV7) while STAR Sports is also available over Astro on Channel 15, Astro SuperSport is also available over Astro on Channel 5 which ESPN Asia is also available over Astro on Channel 14 and Mega TV on Channel 6 in State of Malaysia with Malay commentatory and English occasionally a total of 64-matches (all matches).
• In Singapore the final was broadcast simultaneously by the two major terrestrial networks Singapore Television Twelve (the final was broadcast simultaneously by the one major terrestrial channel names Premiere 12 was international multi sports arena events coverage television channel).
• In Brunei the final was broadcast simultaneously by the major terrestrial network Radio Televisyen Brunei (the final was broadcast simultaneously by the one major terrestrial channel names Brunai Televisyen Satu).
• In the Philippines the final was broadcast simultaneously by the major terrestrial network GMA Network (the final was broadcast simultaneously by the one major terrestrial channel names DZBB-TV).
• In Thailand the final was broadcast simultaneously by the six major terrestrial networks National Radio and Television Services of Thailand (the final was broadcast simultaneously by the one major terrestrial channel names National Television Services of Thailand), Thailand Central Television, Thailand Colour Television Channel 3, Royal Thai Army Radio and Television Channel 5, Bangkok National Radio and Television Broadcasting Corporation Channel 7 and Media Corporation of Thailand Television Channel 9.
• In Myanmar the final was broadcast simultaneously by the major terrestrial network Myanmar Radio and Television (the final was broadcast simultaneously by the one major terrestrial channel names Myanmar National Television).
• In Cambodia the final was broadcast simultaneously by the major terrestrial network National Television of Kampuchea (the final was broadcast simultaneously by the one major terrestrial channel names National Television of Kampuchea One).
• In Laos the final was broadcast simultaneously by the major terrestrial network Lao National Television (the final was broadcast simultaneously by the one major terrestrial channel names Lao National Television One).
• In Vietnam the final was broadcast simultaneously by the three major terrestrial networks Vietnam Television (the final was broadcast simultaneously by the two major terrestrial channel names Vietnam Television One), Ho Chi Minh City Television and Hanoi Radio Television.

East Asia

• In the People's Republic of China the final was broadcast simultaneously by the major terrestrial network China Central Television (the final was broadcast simultaneously by the four major terrestrial channel names CCTV-1, CCTV-2, CCTV-5 and CCTV-7).
• In Hong Kong the final was broadcast simultaneously by the two major terrestrial networks Asia Television (the final was broadcast simultaneously by the two major terrestrial channel names ATV Home and ATV World) and Television Broadcasts Limited (the final was broadcast simultaneously by the two major terrestrial channel names TVB Jade and TVB Pearl).
• In Macau the final was broadcast simultaneously by the major terrestrial network Teledifusão de Macau (the final was broadcast simultaneously by the two major terrestrial channel names First Macau Television and Second Macau Television).
• In Republic of China and Chinese Taipei the final was broadcast simultaneously by the five major terrestrial networks Taiwan Television (the final was broadcast simultaneously by the one major terrestrial channel names Taiwan Television Channel), China Television (the final was broadcast simultaneously by the one major terrestrial channel names China Television Channel), Chinese Television System (the final was broadcast simultaneously by the one major terrestrial channel names Chinese Television System Channel), Formosa Television (the final was broadcast simultaneously by the one major terrestrial channel names Formosa Television Channel) and Public Television Service (the final was broadcast simultaneously by the one major terrestrial channel names Public Television Service Channel).
• In Japan the final was broadcast simultaneously by the six major terrestrial networks Nippon Hōsō Kyōkai (the final was broadcast simultaneously by the one major terrestrial channel names Japanese National Television One), Nippon Television, Fuji Television, Tokyo Broadcasting System, TV Asahi and TV Tokyo.
• In South Korea the final was broadcast simultaneously by the three major terrestrial networks Korean Broadcasting System (the final was broadcast simultaneously by the one major terrestrial channel names Korean National Television One), Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation and Seoul Broadcasting System.
• In North Korea the final was broadcast simultaneously by the major terrestrial network Korean Central Television (the final was broadcast simultaneously by the one major terrestrial channel names Korean Central Television One).

South Asia

• In India the final was broadcast simultaneously by the major terrestrial network Radio and Television of India (the final was broadcast simultaneously by the one major terrestrial channel names Television of India One).
• In Bangladesh the final was broadcast simultaneously by the major terrestrial network Bangladesh Television.
• In Sri Lanka the final was broadcast simultaneously by the two major terrestrial networks Independent Television Network (the final was broadcast simultaneously by the three major terrestrial channel names ITN One, ITN Two and ITN Three) and Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (the final was broadcast simultaneously by the four major terrestrial channel names, Rupavahini, Nethra TV, Channel Eye and NTV).
• In Pakistan the final was broadcast simultaneously by the major terrestrial network Pakistan Television (the final was broadcast simultaneously by the one major terrestrial channel names Pakistan Television One).
• In Nepal the final was broadcast simultaneously by the major terrestrial network Nepal Television.
• In the Maldives the final was broadcast simultaneously by the major terrestrial network Maldives Television (the final was broadcast simultaneously by the one major terrestrial channel names Maldives Television One).

Australia

• In Australia the final was broadcast simultaneously by the major terrestrial network Australian Broadcasting Corporation (the final was broadcast simultaneously by the one major terrestrial channel names Australia National Television).
• In New Zealand the final was broadcast simultaneously by the major terrestrial network Television New Zealand (the final was broadcast simultaneously by the one major terrestrial channel names Television New Zealand One).

Europe

• In the United Kingdom the final was broadcast simultaneously on the flagship channels of the two major terrestrial networks; BBC One for BBC Television and ITV for Independent Television.
• In France the final was broadcast simultaneously by the two major terrestrial networks; Télévision Française 1 and France 2.
• In Italy the final was broadcast simultaneously by the major terrestrial network Radio Televisione Italiana (the final was broadcast by the major terrestrial channel name Televisione Italiana 1).^[15]
• In Germany the final was broadcast simultaneously by the two major terrestrial networks Erstes Deutsches Fernsehen and Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen.
• In the Netherlands the final was broadcast simultaneously by the two major terrestrial networks Netherlands Public Broadcasting (the final was broadcast simultaneously by the two major terrestrial channel names Nederland 1 and Nederland 2) and Nederlandse Omroep Stichting.
• In Spain the final was broadcast simultaneously by the major terrestrial network Televisión Española (the final was broadcast simultaneously by the two major terrestrial channel names Televisión Española 1 and Televisión Española 2).
• In Portugal the final was broadcast simultaneously by the major terrestrial network Rádio e Televisão de Portugal (the final was broadcast simultaneously by the two major terrestrial channel names Televisão de Portugal 1 and Televisão de Portugal 2).
• In Belgium the final was broadcast simultaneously by the major terrestrial network Belgische Radio Televisieomroep).
• In the Czech Republic the final was broadcast simultaneously by the major terrestrial network Česká Televize (the final was broadcast simultaneously by the two major terrestrial channel names Česká Televize 1 and Česká Televize 2).
• In Russia the final was broadcast simultaneously by the two major terrestrial networks National Television of Russia and Radio and Television of Russia (the final was broadcast simultaneously by the one major terrestrial channel names Television Russia 1).
• In Sweden the final was broadcast simultaneously by the major terrestrial network Sweden Radio and Television (the final was broadcast simultaneously by the two major terrestrial channel names Sweden Television 1 and Sweden Television 2).
• In Switzerland the final was broadcast simultaneously by the major terrestrial network Switzerland Radio and Television (the final was broadcast simultaneously by the two major terrestrial channel names Switzerland Television One and Switzerland Television Two).
• In Ireland the final was broadcast simultaneously by the major terrestrial network RTÉ Television (the final was broadcast simultaneously by the two major terrestrial channel names Raidió Teilifís Éireann One and Raidió Teilifís Éireann Two).

America

North America

• In the United States the final was broadcast in English by ABC – Bob Ley provided play-by-play commentary while Seamus Malin supplied color commentary. Univision held the Spanish rights.
• In Canada the final was broadcast simultaneously by the major terrestrial network Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

Latin America

• In Mexico the final was broadcast simultaneously by the two major terrestrial networks TV Azteca and Televisa (the final was broadcast simultaneously by the one major terrestrial channel names Mexican Television One network on flagship station channel names Mexico City Television).
• In Brazil the final was broadcast simultaneously by the five major terrestrial networks Rede Globo, Rede Record, Rede Bandeirantes, Rede Manchete and SBT.^[16]
• In Argentina the final was broadcast simultaneously by the two major terrestrial network Telefe and Canal 13
• In Colombia the final was broadcast simultaneously by the major terrestrial network RCN Televisión.
• In Peru the final was broadcast simultaneously by the two major terrestrial networks Perú Nacional Televisión and América Televisión.
• In Venezuela the final was broadcast simultaneously by the major terrestrial network Venevisión.
• In Chile the final was broadcast simultaneously by the major terrestrial network Televisión Nacional de Chile.
• In Ecuador the final was broadcast simultaneously by the major terrestrial network Ecuador Radio and Television.
• In Costa Rica the final was broadcast simultaneously by the major terrestrial network Costa Rica Nacional Television.
• In Panama the final was broadcast simultaneously by the major terrestrial network Panamá Nacional Television.
• In Bolivia the final was broadcast simultaneously by the major terrestrial network Bolivia Radio and Television.
• In Paraguay the final was broadcast simultaneously by the major terrestrial network Paraguay Nacional Television.

References

1. http://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/LFPG/1998/7/12/DailyHistory.html?req_city=NA&req_state=NA&req_statename=NA
2. "World Cup: History: USA 1994". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 17 April 2002. Retrieved 12 June 2011.
3. "France Triumph". BBC Sport. 13 July 1998. Archived from the original on November 10, 1999. Retrieved 19 June 2013.
4. "World Cup: History: France 1998". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 17 April 2002. Retrieved 12 June 2011.
5. "Rewind to 1998: Ronaldo's darkest day". ESPN Soccernet. ESPN. 9 February 2011. Archived from the original on 13 February 2011. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
6. "The great World Cup Final mystery". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 2 April 2002. Retrieved 12 June 2011.
7. "World Cup: 25 stunning moments … No15: Ronaldo falters as France win". Guardian. 8 May 2014. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
8. "Ronaldo had convulsions before game". Sports Illustrated. 13 July 1998. Retrieved 19 June 2013.
9. "France win Euro 2000". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 2 July 2000. Retrieved 12 June 2011.
10. Homewood, Brian (19 July 1999). "Football: Rivaldo's rousing finale". Independent Online (Independent). Retrieved 12 June 2011.
11. "Brazil crowned world champions". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 30 June 2002. Archived from the original on 11 May 2011. Retrieved 12 June 2011.
12. "Brazil legend Ronaldo retires from football". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 14 February 2011. Retrieved 12 June 2011.
13. "France plays perfect host; hoists World Cup in Paris.". Soccer Times. 12 July 1998. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
14. "1998 FIFA World Cup France". FIFA.com. FIFA. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 12 June 2011.
15. La Francia-allegria può fermare Ronaldo. La Stampa, 12 July 1998.
16. Dantas, Rui (1998-05-17). "Record vai transmitir a Copa 98" (in Portuguese). Folha de S.Paulo. Retrieved 2014-07-11.

External links

• FIFA website