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FRANCE!
FRANCE!!
FRANCE!!!
World Cup Archive
Official Site - France '98 98 World Cup Soccer Page
Championship Final
12 JULYIn Saint-Denis, France clearly domintated the heavily favored Brazilian side in the first half, coming up with immediate chances and keeping the ball in Brazil's half of the field most of the time. In the 27th minute, on a corner from the left side of the goal, a high ball was headed in by Zinedine Zidane to put the French up 1-0. France continued their pressure and Fabien Barthez, the French goalie, rarely saw any dangerous balls come his way. In stoppage time in the first half, the French were offered another corner kick, this time from the right side. The ball was lower, but it was Zidane again, who was able to find an opening and put France up 2-0, stunning the Brazilians just before the half. Brazil started the second half with a more organized attack, but France, with the lead, tightened up their defense and kept the Brazilians in check. France's Desailly received his second yellow of the match in the 68th minute, which meant ejection, and France was forced to play the balance of the match a man down. But France was albe to hang tight and for insurance, or insult, in the third minute of stoppage time, Petit scored for France, giving les Bleus a 3-0 win and the true Championship of the World. Vive la France! See you in South Korea and Japan in 2002.
Second Stage
| Round of 16 | Quarter-Finals | Semi-Finals | Final | World Cup '98 Champion |
| BRAZIL 4 | ||||
| June 27 | ||||
| Paris | BRAZIL 3 | |||
| CHILE 1 | ||||
| July 3 | ||||
| Nantes | BRAZIL 1 (4-2 PK OT) | |||
| NIGERIA 1 | ||||
| June 28 | DENMARK 2 | |||
| Saint-Denis | ||||
| DENMARK 4 | ||||
| July 7 | ||||
| Marseille | BRAZIL 0 | |||
| NETHERLANDS 2 | ||||
| June 29 | ||||
| Toulouse | NETHERLANDS 2 | |||
| YUGOSLAVIA 1 | ||||
| July 4 | NETHERLANDS 1 | |||
| Marseille | ||||
| ARGENTINA 2 (4-3 PK OT) | ||||
| June 30 | ARGENTINA 1 | |||
| Saint-Etienne | ||||
| ENGLAND 2 | ||||
| July 12 | ||||
| Saint-Denis | ||||
| ITALY 1 | ||||
| June 27 | ||||
| Marseille | ITALY 0 | FRANCE | ||
| NORWAY 0 |
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| July 3 | ||||
| Saint-Denis | FRANCE 3 | |||
| FRANCE 1 (OT) | ||||
| June 28 | FRANCE 0 (4-3 PK OT) | |||
| Lens | ||||
| PARAGUAY 0 | ||||
| July 8 | FRANCE 3 | |||
| Saint-Denis | ||||
| GERMANY 2 | ||||
| June 29 | ||||
| Montpellier | GERMANY 0 | |||
| MEXICO 1 | NETHERLANDS 1 | |||
| July 4 | CROATIA 1 | July 11 | ||
| Lyon |
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| ROMANIA 0 | Paris | |||
| June 30 | CROATIA 3 | CROATIA 2 | ||
| Bordeaux | ||||
| CROATIA 1 |
2nd Round - at a glance
| 1. 27 June - (B1)Italy 1 - 0 Norway(A2) |
| 2. 27 June - (A1)Brazil 4 - 1 Chile(B2) |
| 3. 28 June - (C1)France 1 - 0 Paraguay(D2) |
| 4. 28 June - (D1)Nigeria 1 - 4 Denmark(C2) |
| 5. 29 June - (F1)Germany 2 - 1 Mexico (E2) |
| 6. 29 June - (E1)Netherlands 2 - 1 Yugoslavia(F2) |
| 7. 30 June - (G1)Romania 0 - 1 Croatia(H2) |
| 8. 30 June - (H1)Argentina 2 (4-3 PK) - 2 England(G2) |
| B. 3 July - (2)ITALY 0 - 0 (4-3 PK) FRANCE(3) |
| A. 3 July - (1)BRAZIL 3 - 2 DENMARK(4) |
| C. 4 July - (6)NETHERLANDS 2 - 1 ARGENTINA(8) |
| D. 4 July - (5)GERMANY 0 - 3 CROATIA(7) |
| 7 July - [A]BRAZIL 1 (4-2 PK OT) - 1 NETHERLANDS [C] |
| 8 July - [B]FRANCE 2 - 1 CROATIA [D] |
| 11 July - Third Place: (Netherlands 1 - 2 Croatia) |
| 12 July - WORLD CUP FINAL: BRAZIL 0 - 3 FRANCE |
Third Place Match
11 JULYIn a match that is rarely fun for either side to play, because it is meaningless except for pride, Croatia had everything to gain and nothing to lose as they took the Bronze with a 2-1 win over a tired looking Netherlands side. Goals by Prosinecki in the 13th minute and Suker in the 36th minute made Holland goalie Van der Sar look sleepy and flat-footed. Suker's goal, his sixth of World Cup '98 play, gave him the lead amongst scorers and assured him of receiving the Golden Boot award. A goal by the Netherlands' Zenden was welcomed in the 21st minute, but overall the Netherlands were ready to go home.
Semi-Final Re-caps
8 JULY In Saint-Denis, France and Croatia played to a scoreless first half. Opening up the second half, Croatia's Suker found himself open and netted the ball for Croatia's goal. But France struck back almost instantly as France's Thuram easily netted a ball. Then 20 minutes later, Thuram found himself with the ball just outside the box and put his left foot to good use, and put France up for good 2-1. Is France ready for Brazil Sunday? Is Brazil ready for France?
7 JULY Brazil and the Netherlands played a great match, perhaps the best of World Cup '98. After a tough, scoreless first half, Ronaldo scored in the opening minute of the second half with some nifty footwork and a ball that went between the keepers legs. Late in regular time, the Netherlands' Patrick Kluivert was able to score and send the match into extra time. The overtime was scoreless, so it was on to penalty kicks. Brazil had no problem netting their kicks, but the Netherlands' Cocu and De Boer couldn't get their kicks past Brazil goalkeeper Taffarel and the match belonged to Brazil. Both teams had some great chances and it was a very exciting match. Some say its sorry to see such a match end on penalty kicks, but there was plenty of tension and overall - it was totally thrilling.
Quarterfinal Re-caps
4 JULY The Netherlands and Argentina didn't play up to everyone's expectations today, as the match was marred by some bad dives and resulting suspensions. After playing to a 1-1 tie at the half, the Netherlands were the first team to lose a player, Neuman, in the 72nd minute, on a questionable 2nd yellow card. But late in the match, Netherlands' goalie, van der Sar made Ariel Ortega pay with a spotty dive himself. That seemed to take the wind out of Argentinians sails and in the 89th minute, Dennis Bergkamp received a nice ball and was able to net the winner, sending Argentina home and setting up a Brazil-Netherlands matchup on July 7. In the other quarterfinal of the day, in Lyon, Germany played physical and somewhat dirty soccer, with lots of arm tackles and elbows. It cost them, too, in the 24th minute when Christian Worns was ejected. Playing down a man allowed Robert Jarni from Croatia to be wide open and score an easy goal at the end of the first half. In the second half, the play was much more civil, but goals for Croatia by Goran Vlaovic in the 80th and Davor Suker in the 85th knocked the Germans out of World Cup '98. Croatia next plays France on July 8.
3 JULY France were the aggressors in their match against Italy, but the Italians did their best to squelch any French attacks. The match was scoreless through full-time and the overtime, and ended on Penalty Kicks, with Italy's Luigi Di Biagio striking the last ball badly and the French took what should have been their match all along, 0-0 (4-3 in Penalty Kicks). France next plays on July 8. In the other quarterfinal of the day, Denmark opened the scoring early, but Brazil took the lead until early in the second half, when Denmark equalized. But Brazil's Rivaldo scored his second of the day in the 60th and Brazil won a hard fought match 3-2, to get through to the semi-finals on July 7.
Round of 16 Re-caps
30 JUNE All it took was a penalty kick just before halftime, and Croatia were able to hold off Romania for a 1-0 victory today in Bordeaux. Croatia now gets to play Germany on July 4. In Saint Etienne, Argentina and England traded goals in the first half, but the play slowed down in the second half after England's Beckham was ejected. The teams were scoreless in overtime and Argentina won the match on Penalty Kicks (4-3) to win by an official score of 3-2.
29 JUNE Mexico took the lead early in the second half of their match against Germany on a fine goal by Luis Hernandez, but late goals by Klinsmann and Bierhoff secured a victory for Germany 2-1 to get through to the quarterfinals. In the other match, Holland and Yugoslavia appeared headed to extra time until the Netherlands' Davids netted a goal in stoppage time and Netherlands advance with a 2-1 decision.
28 JUNE Paraguay spent ninety full minutes plus 24 of the overtime period thoroughly frustrating the French side at Lens today, playing defense all the way, but in "golden goal" extra time, France was able to net a ball and move on to a quarterfinal matchup against Italy. In Saint-Denis, Denmark totally overpowered the favored Nigerian side, 4-1, knocking the last African team out of the tournament. Denmark next sees Brazil on July 3.
27 JUNE The single-elimination Round of 16 began on Saturday with Italy's Del Piero keeping Norway on its heels, but it was a goal by Christian Vieri in the 18th minute that secured Italy's advancement to the quarterfinals with a 1-0 victory over the Norge. In Paris, Brazil appeared sluggish early-on, but were no match for Chile, winning 4-1 with two goals each from Sampaio and Ronaldo.
World Cup 1998 First Stage Standings
...how they got through to the second round
Stage 1 - June 11-26
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GROUP A
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GROUP E
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GROUP B
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GROUP F
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GROUP C
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GROUP G
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GROUP D
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GROUP H
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The First Round Re-caps
DAY SEVENTEEN Today in Group H, Argentina won their group with a 1-0 win over Croatia, who had already qualified for the second round. In the other match in the group, Jamaica scored their first World Cup win ever, beating hapless Japan, 2-1. In Group G, England advanced while knocking out Colombia 2-0 and Romania drew with Tunisia 1-1 to win the group. Stage One is complete.
DAY SIXTEEN The day's early play featured Group E saw Mexico earning a Second Round berth with a draw against the Netherlands on a late goal by Luis Hernandez, and Belgium failing to qualify in a disappointing draw with South Korea. In Group F, Germany beat Iran 2-0 to win the group, while Yugoslavia easily defeated the U.S. 1-0 to send the Yanks home with zero wins and three losses.
DAY FIFTEEN Group C saw Denmark getting through to the Second Round despite losing to France 1-2, as Saudi Arabia drew with South Africa, 2-2 in a match where three goals came on penalty kicks. In Group D (the group of death), Spain beat up on Bulgaria 6-1, but it was for naught as Paraguay beat Nigeria 2-1 to advance to the Second Round and a match against France.
DAY FOURTEEN In Group B's final matches, Italy won the group with a 2-1 victory over Austria while Chile advanced with a 1-1 draw with Cameroon. Cameroon were a man down in the second half and appeared to score, but the goal was disallowed. Also on this day Group A was finished with Norway upsetting Brazil 2-1 to advance to the second round and Morocco making a valiant attempt at advancing by beating Scotland 3-0, but coming up short on total points.
DAY THIRTEEN Colombia keeps their Second Round hopes alive with a 1-0 victory over Tunisia in Group G, while preventing the African nation from advancing to the next round. Romania beat England 2-1 in the same group to qualify for the Second Round. England scored in the 83rd minute to equalize, but Romania netted one in the 90th minute to take the match.
DAY TWELVE Yugoslavia kept Germany's play in check for most of the match, but the Germans found their legs and scored twice late in the second half to earn a 2-2 draw in Group F play. In the same group, Iran wins the political match against the U.S. 2-1, and in the process dashes any hope of the U.S. advancing to the Second Round. For the U.S., its one more game then home. In Group H, Argentina advances with a 5-0 drubbing of the Jamaica's Reggae Boyz. Same story for Jamaica as the U.S.
DAY ELEVEN In today's lone Group H match, Croatia scored a goal late in the second half and held off Japan for a 1-0 victory and secured advancement to the Second Round. In Group E, the best match so far of World Cup '98 saw 4 goals scored in the first 18 minutes of the second half as Mexico recovered from an early red card and tied Belgium in the Bordeaux heat after the Belgium side also received a red card. Also in the group, Holland dismantled South Korea, 5-0, to move to the top of the group on goal differential.
DAY TEN Bora's magic continues as Nigeria earns the D1 spot in the Second Round with a 1-0 victory over Bulgaria. Spain's chances for advancement are hurt by a 0-0 draw with Paraguay in the other Group D match on Friday.
DAY NINE in a day marred by Red Cards (each team received one), Group C matches had South Africa gaining a draw against Denmark, 1-1, and France decimating Saudi Arabia while securing a second round match, 4-0.
DAY EIGHT saw action in Group B with Austria getting an equalizing goal in stoppage time in the second half to snatch a victory from Chile. Italy took on sentimental favorites Cameroon and handled the African side 3-0.
DAY SEVEN featured the second games in Group A. Norway and Scotland played to a 1-1 draw and Brazil easily handled Morocco, starting with a nice goal from Ronaldo in the 9th minute. The final was 3-0.
DAY SIX saw Germany handle the U.S. 2-0. In Group G matches, England easily beat Tunisia 2-0, even as English hooligans were battling with police outside the stadium in Marseilles. Romania beat Colombia on a goal in first-half stoppage time. All teams will have now played once and the round-robin in each group continues.
DAY FIVE included matches from Groups F and H. In the opener, Japan played Argentina tough but lost 0-1 on a goal by Batistuta. Then, in Saint-Etienne, Yugoslavia scored on a free kick in the 73rd minute to defeat Iran, 1-0. Yugo and Iran play in the same group as the United States, so Yugo has 3 points in the group now, which means the U.S. will have to play some great football in the coming week. The third match of the day, between World Cup first-timers, Croatia easily handled Jamaica 3-1.
DAY FOUR of the first round (Groups D and E) featured Nigeria upsetting Spain 3-2; Mexico dismantling South Korea 3-1, including two goals by Luis Hernandez; and long-time foes Belgium and the Netherlands playing to a lackluster, disorganized, and foul-plagued nil-nil draw, which was a moral victory for the Belgians.
DAY THREE featured matches in Groups C and D. First up, Paraguay and Bulgaria played to a scoreless draw. Saudi Arabia succumbed to Denmark 0-1 and host nation France easily overpowered first-timer South Africa 3-0.
DAY TWO of play (Group B) saw Chile control Italy until a handball by Chile resulted in a Penalty shot. Italy's Baggio didn't miss and Italy drew against Chile. Cameroon scored late thanks to some very nice footwork from Njanka, but Austria's Polster managed a goal in the 91st minute for the equalizer. Final 1-1.
DAY ONE play in Group A saw Brazil survive their opening match against Scotland and Morocco drew against Norway.
Qualifying Nations were drawn into 8 groups of 4 teams each in December, 1997. Each team will play the other three teams in its group once, for a total of three first round games per team. Three points for a win, one for a draw and zero for a loss. The top two teams in each group will advance. Tie-breakers include goal differential, then total goals scored.
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