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Classic games- France v Brazil 98

May 12th, 2006 | By: Chriso | 22 Comments »

July 12th, 1998, the greatest day in French football history. They won the World Cup Final by beating a Brazil team they failed to show up on the day and Ronaldo in particular was a shadow of himself.

I remember the tv commentators shock when they got the teamsheets about an hour before kickoff and Ronaldo’s name wasn’t in the Brazil team, then when the second teamsheet came through with Ronnie in the side the theory was that Brazil were trying to mess with the French heads. Ronaldo’s mystery illness before the game has never been properly explained.

France were worthy 3-0 winners, Zidane stepping up and scoring twice both headers from corners. I think those goals were about desire and wanting it more.

The French had to play the last 22 minutes with 10 men after Marcel Desailly managed to get himself a second yellow card but Brazil still couldn’t find a goal and Emmanuel Petit capped the game off for France by slotting their third in the 90th minute.

I think when Brazil went in 2-0 down at halftime their belief went and I’m sure the French team thought to themselves there’s no way we’re going to lose this one, and that’s how they played the rest of the match.

.
A fantastic moment for the whole French squad and of course all the politicians who turned up to get in on the glory. A million fans on the Champs Elysee was a great sight

Tags: Emmanuel Petit, Ronaldo, World Cup 1998, Zinedine Zidane

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Comments

By Juan | May 12th, 2006 at 6:13 pm

The french have taught us an important lesson here.

If the Brazilians get passed the quarterfinals this world cup, poison the sh*t out of their food.

Posted from United States

By dino | May 12th, 2006 at 8:07 pm

Nevertheless Brasil is 5 times CHAMPIONS. France is not. What happened to France the last Cup. Nothing-it was an embarassment. England invented the game. Brasil perfected the beautiful game. Viva Brasil and Viva Honduras. Gracias.

Posted from Canada

By dino | May 12th, 2006 at 8:09 pm

From CHAMPS to chumps=France.

Posted from Canada

By Chriso | May 13th, 2006 at 1:19 pm

I remember Honduras, they played in the World Cup once, 1982.
They came bottom of their group but played well, even drew with host country Spain.

By Petro | May 14th, 2006 at 4:05 pm

It is a last chance for Zizu to shine again. It no longer matters how the French got the finals. Champions know what to do when it matters most. Zizu is a champion who still has what it takes to get the job done. He still has the amazing talent, the guts and the flame to win it. We will see the repeat of ‘98.

By Euler | May 16th, 2006 at 10:13 am

Too bad the only title France have was obtained against a dead team. After Ronaldo’d strange problem, every Brazilian player was worried he would die on the pitch.

Anyway, Brazil failed. We can’t deny the facts, but we can only wonder if Ronaldo didn’t get ill that morning, what would our team do to the French side.

Maybe this is the reason why Zizou is on the team again… he still wants to win for real, against healthy teams. He is great and he deserves that.

By Ronaldo | May 18th, 2006 at 5:46 pm

Few comments:
1. French food sucks
2. Who lives from the past is museum. (makes sense for france, doesn’t?) so since ‘02 you r not the champions any more. Ops who is it by the way.
3. I love this math: Go and work out, so maybe in 20 years (2 decades) you can pass Brasil. You gonna need just 5 cups in row, can you do it?

Posted from Brazil

By Chriso | May 19th, 2006 at 5:59 am

‘Who lives from the past is museum’, ah, ok, no talking about 58,62,70,and 94 then, its history.

Brazilian food must be fantastic because Ronaldo looks like he can’t stop stuffing his fat face.

Posted from United Kingdom

By Ronaldo | May 19th, 2006 at 1:30 pm

well you forgot to mention 02. Is that the last one right??

Which ronaldo you mean??????? the one is the best player of the world right now or the on that used to be??? hahahhahahaahah

Posted from Brazil

By Daniel | May 19th, 2006 at 1:36 pm

I WANT FRANCE THIS TIME. I WANT FRANCE!!! WE WILL SEE THE TRUTH.

Vai tomar no cup Francês de merda.

Posted from Brazil

By Chris | May 19th, 2006 at 4:11 pm

The porker that wears number 9 for Real Madrid.

By pinaki de | May 21st, 2006 at 10:59 am

daniel you will get france again this time around (mark my words) and again will blow up. it is the bogey team for brazil. brazil lost to france in 1986 as well, then 98 also in olympic football final in 1984.

Posted from India

By Furmigao Tora | June 27th, 2006 at 7:54 pm

Ronaldo is the best.
Do you want him on your team? Just dream… 15 goals in world cups, a record.
***** - still ONLY 5 cups.

Posted from United States

By Furmigao Tora | June 27th, 2006 at 7:54 pm

And I AM from BRASIL. My stupid IP address isn’t… -shit-

Posted from United States

By Pablo | June 27th, 2006 at 11:06 pm

Ummm, America persons …. YOU GUYS HAVE NEVER WON A FREAKIN WORLD CUP! What are you talking about Brazil? HOLY CRAP! Atleast we don’t have to pay to let Brazil in the games (unlike the USA)!!!!! So just simply SUCK IT UP! USA SUCKSSSSSSS!!!!!
Vai tomar no cu!

Posted from United States

By Henrik | June 28th, 2006 at 4:03 pm

Have u forgotten 58? Brazil pissed off France with an incredible and possess Pelé. Brazil 5×2 France.
Pelé scored 3 times.
Now, Ronaldinho will wake up and DESTROY ‘le bleus’. =]

Posted from Brazil

By sergio | June 29th, 2006 at 12:02 am

No matter what anyone say’s, win or lose, the Brazilians will always be considered the best team in the World…maybe even the team of the millenium…fuck baseball, hockey, american football, golf ewwww….soccer is the sport of world class champions…in spite of the criticisms and what historical stats have shown us, history changes and come Saturday Brazil will erase France from world cup play…joga bonito.

Posted from Canada

By squiggle | June 29th, 2006 at 9:17 pm

Stop making excuses, you whiners. France were great in 1998.
Also, dino: if you want to go down that route, France created the World Cup. And the European Championship. And FIFA. And etc.

By Junior | July 1st, 2006 at 1:50 pm

u canadians are all talk no action use don’t even play football vive la france brazil are going down i dis world cup

Posted from United Kingdom

By jean | July 2nd, 2006 at 1:11 pm

haha…wel france showed der tru colours nd proved dat brazil canot beat dem in wrld cup…france is goin 2 win da wrld cup wid henry nd zidane…vive la france….foda el brasil..lol..im french by da way but live in england!!!

Posted from United States

By Les bleus | July 8th, 2006 at 2:36 pm

hhhmmmmmm…….
Brasil, Brasil who???????

Posted from Australia