France join the Ivy League

The 1998 World Cup triumph united a multiracial French nation like never before. PHOTO: DAILY STAR ARCHIVE

This was a World Cup that ended with the hosts' finest footballing hour and left everyone guessing about the mystery of Ronaldo's missing minutes -- but there was far more to France '98 than just a one-sided final where the Brazilians failed to turn up.
The Dutch gave more moments to savour but again fell short, while new-boys Croatia announced their arrival with a dazzling run to the semifinals. England left early, but with a new hero offering hope for the future -- and a villain to pin all the blame on for their exit.
Brazil scraped past Scotland in the opening goal with a 2-1 win, thanks to a late Tom Boyd own-goal. England stumbled through to set up what would be the match of the tournament against Argentina in the last 16. This game packed a heck of a lot into 120 pulsating minutes of open play; including 18-year-old Michael Owen's wonder goal, a delightfully-worked Argentina free-kick and, of course, David Beckham's petulant kick at Diego Simeone that saw him sent off after half-time. In the end, England were out on penalties for the third time in eight years.
 Of the other big-guns, only Spain had failed to reach the second round, where France needed the World Cup's first extra-time golden goal to edge past Paraguay. The French were lacking a quality striker -- and they needed penalties to get past Italy side in the quarterfinals.
Elsewhere, the goals were flying in but none were better than Dennis Bergkamp's glorious last-gasp winner against Argentina -- Bergkamp bringing down Frank de Boer's perfect 50-yard pass, stepping inside Roberto Ayala and effortlessly volleying past Roa -- which put the Dutch in the semifinals.
Rivaldo's cracker saw Brazil edge Denmark in last-eight and Croatia's Davor Suker -- who scored six goals in total to take home the Golden Boot -- rounded off a shock rout of European champions Germany to win with a fine solo effort.
The hosts beat the Croats 2-1, thanks to a brace from defender Lilian Thuram, who played 142 times for France between 1994 and 2008 but only scored those two goals.
Brazil, who beat the Netherlands in their semifinal on penalties, were their opponents in a hotly-anticipated final but that turned out to be a game that saw more drama before it began than it did during the 90 minutes of action.
Ronaldo, Brazil's talisman and top scorer, was left out by coach Mario Zagallo when he issued his first team-sheet 72 minutes ahead of kick-off, but was back in the starting line-up half-an-hour later. There were reports he had been in hospital earlier after having a fit, and rumours -- later denied -- that he was ill or injured and only reinstated following pressure from the team's sponsors.
Whatever the truth -- and only he really knows it -- Ronaldo had a stinker of a game, as did his team-mates, and Les Bleus, for whom Zinedine Zidane was majestic, ended up runaway winners.
The victory, for a French team that reflected the multi-racial mix of their country, united a nation that was far from football-mad and sparked weeks of celebration across the land.

Facts & Figure

Winners: France
Runners-up: Brazil
Leading Scorer: Davor Suker (CRO)--6
Teams: 32
Matches: 64
Goals: 171
Attendance: 2,785,100