FIFA World Cup 1998 – France
The 1998 FIFA World Cup, hosted by France, was a celebration of football’s global reach, expanding the number of teams to 32. It was a tournament marked by a number of memorable matches, the rise of a new generation of stars, and a final that produced one of the most unexpected outcomes in World Cup history.
Group Stage
Group A
| Team | P | 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 |
Match Results
- Brazil 2-1 Scotland
- Morocco 2-2 Norway
- Scotland 1-1 Norway
- Brazil 3-0 Morocco
- Scotland 0-3 Morocco
- Norway 2-1 Brazil
The group’s final match provided a major shock when Norway scored a last-minute penalty to beat Brazil and qualify for the knockout stage. Despite losing their final game, Brazil still topped the group. Morocco, with a convincing win over Scotland, was unlucky to be eliminated.
Group B
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Italy |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 3 | +4 | 7 |
 Chile |
3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 3 |
 Austria |
3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 2 |
 Cameroon |
3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | -3 | 2 |
Match Results
- Italy 2-2 Chile
- Cameroon 1-1 Austria
- Italy 3-0 Cameroon
- Chile 1-1 Austria
- Italy 2-1 Austria
- Chile 1-1 Cameroon
Italy, with their strong attack led by Christian Vieri, comfortably topped the group. Chile advanced with three consecutive draws, a testament to their defensive resilience. All three of their matches ended in 1-1 ties, with Marcelo Salas scoring key goals.
Group C
| Team | P | 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 |
Match Results
- France 3-0 South Africa
- Denmark 1-0 Saudi Arabia
- France 4-0 Saudi Arabia
- South Africa 1-1 Denmark
- France 2-1 Denmark
- South Africa 2-2 Saudi Arabia
The host nation, France, dominated their group, winning all three matches with their impressive defense and clinical attack. The French team, led by Zinedine Zidane, looked like a strong contender from the start. Denmark also progressed with a solid performance.
Group D
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Nigeria |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 6 |
 Paraguay |
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 5 |
 Spain |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 4 | +4 | 4 |
 Bulgaria |
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 7 | -6 | 1 |
Match Results
- Paraguay 0-0 Bulgaria
- Spain 2-3 Nigeria
- Nigeria 1-0 Bulgaria
- Spain 0-0 Paraguay
- Nigeria 1-3 Paraguay
- Spain 6-1 Bulgaria
Nigeria impressed once again, topping their group with a fantastic win over Spain. Spain, despite a huge 6-1 victory over Bulgaria, was eliminated, a major shock for a team considered a strong contender. The match between Spain and Nigeria was a high-octane affair, with Nigeria’s Sunday Oliseh scoring a memorable long-range winner.
Group E
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Netherlands |
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 2 | +5 | 5 |
 Mexico |
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 5 | +2 | 5 |
 Belgium |
3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
 South Korea |
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 9 | -7 | 1 |
Match Results
- South Korea 1-3 Mexico
- Netherlands 0-0 Belgium
- Belgium 2-2 Mexico
- Netherlands 5-0 South Korea
- Netherlands 2-2 Mexico
- Belgium 1-1 South Korea
The group was marked by a series of draws, but the Netherlands and Mexico, both with a flair for attacking football, managed to advance. The final match between the two, a thrilling 2-2 draw, ensured both teams progressed, much to the dismay of Belgium.
Group F
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Germany |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | +4 | 7 |
| Yugoslavia | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 7 |
 Iran |
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 3 |
 United States |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 5 | -4 | 0 |
Match Results
- Germany 2-0 United States
- Yugoslavia 1-0 Iran
- Germany 2-2 Yugoslavia
- United States 1-2 Iran
- Germany 2-0 Iran
- United States 0-1 Yugoslavia
The match between the USA and Iran was a highly anticipated and politically charged encounter. Iran’s victory was a moment of immense celebration for their country. Germany and Yugoslavia comfortably advanced, showcasing their experience and quality.
Group G
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Romania |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 7 |
 England |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 6 |
 Colombia |
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 3 |
 Tunisia |
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 1 |
Match Results
- England 2-0 Tunisia
- Romania 1-0 Colombia
- Colombia 1-0 Tunisia
- Romania 2-1 England
- Colombia 0-2 England
- Romania 1-1 Tunisia
Romania’s dramatic 2-1 victory over England was one of the most exciting games of the group stage. After the win, the entire Romanian team, including their manager, dyed their hair blond as a sign of team unity. England’s impressive 2-0 win over Colombia secured their spot in the next round.
Group H
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Argentina |
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | +7 | 9 |
 Croatia |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 6 |
 Jamaica |
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 9 | -6 | 3 |
 Japan |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 0 |
Match Results
- Argentina 1-0 Japan
- Jamaica 1-3 Croatia
- Argentina 5-0 Jamaica
- Japan 0-1 Croatia
- Japan 1-2 Jamaica
- Argentina 1-0 Croatia
Argentina was one of the few teams to secure a perfect group stage record, showcasing their attacking prowess with a hat-trick from Gabriel Batistuta against Jamaica. Croatia, in their first World Cup as an independent nation, also advanced, with Davor Šuker proving to be a formidable goalscorer.
Knockout Stage
Round of 16
▸
Italy 1-0 Norway
Brazil 4-1 Chile
France 1-0 Paraguay (after extra time)
Nigeria 1-4 Denmark
Germany 2-1 Mexico
Netherlands 2-1 Yugoslavia
Argentina 2-2 England (Argentina wins 4-3 on penalties)
Romania 0-1 Croatia
The Round of 16 was highlighted by the epic clash between Argentina and England, a match forever remembered for Michael Owen’s brilliant solo goal and David Beckham’s red card. Argentina prevailed in a tense penalty shootout. France needed a golden goal from Laurent Blanc to beat Paraguay, while Denmark and Brazil cruised to victory.
Quarter-finals
▸
Italy 0-0 France (France wins 4-3 on penalties)
Brazil 3-2 Denmark
Netherlands 2-1 Argentina
Germany 0-3 Croatia
The quarterfinals were filled with high-quality football. Croatia’s stunning 3-0 demolition of Germany was the biggest shock of the tournament, cementing their place as a true contender. The match between the Netherlands and Argentina was a masterpiece, with Dennis Bergkamp scoring one of the greatest goals of all time to send the Dutch through.
Semi-finals
▸
Brazil 1-1 Netherlands (Brazil wins 4-2 on penalties)
France 2-1 Croatia
The semi-finals were intense. Brazil narrowly defeated a formidable Netherlands side on penalties. The other semi-final saw France overcome a spirited Croatia, with two goals from defender Lilian Thuram, who had not scored in his previous 38 international matches. The goals were vital in getting the host nation into the final.
Third Place Play-off
▸
Match: Croatia vs. Netherlands
Result: Croatia 2-1 Netherlands
Croatia secured a well-deserved third-place finish in their debut World Cup, with Davor Šuker scoring the winning goal, making him the tournament’s top scorer.
Final
▸
Match: Brazil vs. France
Result: Brazil 0-3 France
The final remains one of the most talked-about in World Cup history due to the mysterious circumstances surrounding Ronaldo’s pre-match health. The Brazilian star suffered a convulsive fit just hours before the match, leading to a subdued and uninspired performance from him and his team. France, galvanized by their home support and the brilliance of Zinedine Zidane, won the match comfortably with two goals from Zidane and another from Emmanuel Petit, securing their first-ever World Cup title.