coming France hosted by the World 1998 after missing the previous two editions 1990 Y 1994 in Italy Y U.S respectively. The French had a great selection but was to see if the pressure and responsibility that were subject those players would deploy them to their full potential.
France's path to its first World Cup
'Blues’ They were framed in the Group C with South Africa, Denmark and Saudi Arabia. In principle they should not have too many problems to access the second round. The French managed three wins (3-0 against South Africa, 4-0 against Saudi and 2-1 against Denmark) and they convinced his game. In those matches highlighted Thierry Henry, scorer of two goals in the first phase, Djorkaeff, Trezeguet, Small… but above all a great conductor as Zinedine Zidane.
Training of France in the final played against Brazil in 1998 (Photo: dreamteamfc.com)
Laurent Blanc's Golden Goal
The 28 June combos fought Lens France Y Paraguay. The match was hotly contested and ended in a draw so it had to be decided in extra time where a golden goal (the first in a World Cup and only in this edition) of Laurent Blanc allowed the classification, much suffering, Gala selection.
The 3 July Saint-Denis was played on Italy-France. The match, again, It was very even and the defenses were imposed to attacks. The 0-0 Initial he did not move in 90 minutes of regulation or extra time so the semi-finals had to decide penalties and France was more successful than Italy, getting the standings with a great Barthez I was able to stop two penalties Albertini Y Di Biagio.
Thuram's double
The host was a step away from getting into the final of 'their’ world and the last opponent to get it was amazing Croatia had made an impressive tournament in his first World after separation from Yugoslavia. Croats, with Suker top scorer, They threatened to spoil the party for France. In fact, was precisely the Balkan striker who announced his selection nothing resumed the second half but a minute later, Thuram could draw and also 2-1 definitive rating to the French to the final.
France Y Brazil Glory would be played in 12 July 1998 Stade de France on a fully packed with 80.000 people. Guided selection Zinedine Zidane crushed 'canarinha’ of the Cafu, Roberto Carlos, Ronaldo and Rivaldo among others. The French achieved a strong 3-0 with doublet 'Zizou’ and a third goal by Petit.
Zinedine Zidane was one of the great figures of France beat Brazil in the final (Photo: planetminecraft.com)
France He could well be crowned world champion for the first time in its history and Barthez, Lizarazu, Thuram, Vieira, Desailly, Small, Djorkaeff, Karembeu, Zidane, Henry, Trezeguet O Deschamps They passed to the history of their country.
