First 32-team edition; hosts France beat a Brazil side unsettled by Ronaldo's mysterious pre-match illness 3–0 in the Final behind two Zidane headers.
The first 32-team FIFA World Cup opened at the newly built Stade de France in Saint-Denis, with defending champions Brazil defeating Scotland 2–1 via a Tom Boyd own goal. The expanded format increased global representation, bringing nations like Jamaica, Japan, and South Africa to their first finals. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1998_FIFA_World_Cup
Brazil won Group A with 7 points, winning against Scotland and Morocco and drawing with Norway. Scotland finished last and were eliminated, while Norway's late 2–1 win over Brazil in the final group match sent Morocco home on goals scored. Source — Wikipedia:
Hosts France won Group C with a perfect 9 points, beating Denmark 2–1 and Saudi Arabia 4–0. Denmark advanced as runners-up despite losing to France, finishing ahead of Saudi Arabia on goal difference after both ended on 4 points. Source — Wikipedia:
Italy topped Group B with 7 points, beating Cameroon and Austria. Chile's Marcelo Salas and Ivan Zamorano helped their side draw 2–2 with Italy and 1–1 with Austria to secure second place. Austria's late goals earned draws against both Italy and Cameroon but were eliminated. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1998_FIFA_World_Cup_Group_B
Nigeria won Group D with 6 points after beating Spain 3–2 and Bulgaria 1–0. Spain, despite a 6–1 demolition of Bulgaria in their final match, were eliminated in the group stage for the first time since 1978, finishing third behind Paraguay on goal difference. Source — Wikipedia:
The Netherlands won Group E with 5 points, beating South Korea 5–0 and drawing with Mexico and Belgium. Mexico advanced as runners-up with 5 points on goals scored, while Belgium were eliminated despite matching Mexico's points total. South Korea finished last with 1 point. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1998_FIFA_World_Cup_Group_E
Germany won Group F with 7 points, beating the United States 2–0 and Iran 2–0 before drawing 2–2 with Yugoslavia. Yugoslavia advanced as runners-up. The USA's 2–0 win over Iran was their only victory, while Iran finished third and were eliminated. Source — Wikipedia:
Romania won Group G with 7 points, beating England 2–1 and Colombia 1–0. England advanced as runners-up after beating Colombia 2–0. Tunisia finished third with 3 points and were eliminated, while Colombia finished last with 1 point. Source — Wikipedia:
Argentina won Group H with a perfect 9 points, beating Japan 1–0, Jamaica 5–0, and Croatia 1–0. Croatia advanced as runners-up in their first World Cup as an independent nation, beating Jamaica 3–1 and Japan 1–0. Jamaica and Japan were eliminated. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1998_FIFA_World_Cup_Group_H
In a Round of 16 classic, 18-year-old Michael Owen scored a stunning solo goal, racing past Roberto Ayala to finish after David Beckham's pass. The match ended 2–2 after extra time, with Argentina winning 4–3 on penalties after Beckham was sent off for kicking out at Diego Simeone. Source — Wikipedia: )
Italy advanced to the quarterfinals with a 1–0 win over Norway at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille. Christian Vieri scored the only goal in the 18th minute, heading in from close range. Italy's defense held firm throughout, continuing their tournament pattern of narrow victories. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1998_FIFA_World_Cup_knockout_stage
Defending champions Brazil cruised past Chile 4–1 at the Parc des Princes in Paris. Ronaldo and César Sampaio each scored twice, with Marcelo Salas netting Chile's consolation. Brazil's attacking firepower was on full display as they advanced to face Denmark in the quarterfinals. Source — Wikipedia:
Hosts France needed 113 minutes to break down Paraguay's stubborn defense at the Parc Lescure in Bordeaux. Laurent Blanc scored the first golden goal in World Cup history, sending France through to the quarterfinals and sparking wild celebrations across the country. Source — Wikipedia:
Germany came from behind to beat Mexico 2–1 at the Stade de la Mosson in Montpellier. Luis Hernandez put Mexico ahead in the 47th minute, but Jurgen Klinsmann equalized in the 75th and Oliver Bierhoff scored the winner in the 86th, showcasing Germany's trademark resilience. Source — Wikipedia:
The Netherlands beat Yugoslavia 2–1 at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in Saint-Étienne. Edgar Davids scored a dramatic late winner in the 90th minute after Slobodan Komljenovic had equalized Dennis Bergkamp's opener, sending the Dutch through to face Argentina. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1998_FIFA_World_Cup_knockout_stage
Croatia continued their remarkable debut World Cup campaign with a 1–0 win over Romania at the Parc des Princes in Paris. Davor Suker scored the only goal from the penalty spot in the 45th minute, sending Croatia to a quarterfinal against Germany. Source — Wikipedia:
Argentina eliminated England on penalties after a 2–2 draw at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard. Owen's iconic solo goal and a Gabriel Batistuta penalty were among the highlights, while David Beckham was sent off for retaliating against Diego Simeone. Argentina won the shootout 4–3. Source — Wikipedia: )
France and Italy played out a goalless draw at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis. The match was decided on penalties, with Luigi Di Biagio missing Italy's final spot-kick by hitting the crossbar. France advanced to the semifinals 4–3 on penalties. Source — Wikipedia:
Brazil edged Denmark 3–2 at the Parken Stadium in a thrilling quarterfinal. Brian Laudrup gave Denmark an early lead, but goals from Rivaldo, a Rivaldo own goal, and a late Rivaldo winner sent Brazil through. Martin Jorgensen had equalized for Denmark at 2–2. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1998_FIFA_World_Cup_knockout_stage
Croatia stunned Germany 3–0 at the Stade de la Mosson in Montpellier. Goals from Robert Jarni, Davor Suker, and Goran Vlaovic eliminated the three-time champions. Germany's Christian Worns was sent off in the 40th minute, and Croatia advanced to a semifinal against the Netherlands. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1998_FIFA_World_Cup_knockout_stage
Dennis Bergkamp scored one of the great World Cup goals in the 90th minute to give the Netherlands a 2–1 win over Argentina at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille. Patrick Kluivert opened the scoring before Claudio Lopez equalized, setting the stage for Bergkamp's dramatic late winner from a long Frank de Boer pass. Source — Wikipedia:
Brazil reached their second consecutive World Cup final by beating the Netherlands 4–2 on penalties after a 1–1 draw at the Stade Vélodrome. Ronaldo put Brazil ahead before Patrick Kluivert equalized late in normal time. Phillip Cocu and Ronald de Boer missed in the shootout for the Netherlands. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1998_FIFA_World_Cup_knockout_stage
France reached their first World Cup final with a 2–1 win over Croatia at the Stade de France. Davor Suker gave Croatia a shock lead in the 26th minute, but Lilian Thuram scored twice — his first international goals in 54 appearances — to send the hosts through to the final against Brazil. Source — Wikipedia:
Croatia secured third place in their first World Cup as an independent nation with a 2–1 win over the Netherlands at the Parc des Princes. Davor Suker scored his sixth goal of the tournament to win the Golden Boot, while Robert Prosinecki and Davor Suker scored for Croatia. Boudewijn Zenden had equalized for the Dutch. Source — Wikipedia:
Hours before the final, Brazil's star striker Ronaldo suffered a convulsive fit in his hotel room and was initially omitted from the teamsheet, with Edmundo named in his place. He was reinstated shortly before kickoff after reportedly insisting he was fit, but produced a subdued performance. The incident remains one of football's enduring mysteries. Source — Wikipedia:
France won their first World Cup with a 3–0 victory over Brazil at the Stade de France. Zinedine Zidane scored two first-half headers from corner kicks, and Emmanuel Petit added a third in stoppage time. The victory sparked national celebrations across France on Bastille Day eve. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1998_FIFA_World_Cup_Final