1998 FIFA World Cup Official Film

-ANNOUNCER:

-Didier...

CROWD: Deschamps!

-ANNOUNCER:

-Fabien...

-CROWD: Barthez!

-ANNOUNCER:

-Lilian...

-CROWD: Thuram!

-ANNOUNCER:

-Laurent...

-CROWD: Blanc!

-ANNOUNCER:

-Marcel...

-CROWD: Desailly!

-ANNOUNCER:

-Emmanuel...

-CROWD: Petit!

-ANNOUNCER:

-Zinedine...

-CROWD: Zidane!

FANS SING: "La Marseillaise"

The 16th FIFA World Cup will be the biggest festival of sport

the planet has ever seen.

When champions Brazil walk out to face Scotland,

it is the first of 64 matches.

Brazil are overwhelming favourites

for the tournament

and in the 21-year-old Ronaldo,

they have the most potent player

in the world game.

He is soon showing Scotland

his version of the Highland Reel.

After both teams score first-half goals,

the winner comes from a classic

Brazilian passing move

followed by a classic Scottish blunder - a Boyd own goal.

CHEERING

With this victory, and another over Morocco, Brazil quickly

march into the second round.

Their fans can already see the route to the final.

But for the French team, support is more sceptical.

After failing to qualify for the last two World Cups,

they must convince the public that their role as hosts

is more than just ceremonial.

The team's ambitions revolve around Zinedine Zidane,

the best midfield player in Europe.

So Marseille awaits some magic from its famous son,

with South Africa first on stage as volunteers.

Zidane provides,

but France's nervous attack can only squander his gifts.

Until substitute Christophe Dugarry gets a vital touch

on his swerving corner kick.

In the second half, South Africa simply fall apart on this,

their World Cup debut.

Issa with an own goal and then Thierry Henry completes the scoring.

A 3-0 win calms the nerves of coach Aime Jacquet.

But his legion of critics will want France tested by more valid

opponents to be persuaded.

Saudi Arabia are no real threat.

GASPS FROM CROWD

But France's goal-scoring resources begin to look even thinner

as Dugarry joins Stephane Guivarc'h on the injury list.

The French attack now rests with two 19-year-olds,

but first Henry

and then David Trezeguet have enough

confidence to see off

this modest opposition.

France are coasting.

Until Zidane suffers a moment of sheer madness.

Zidane's gratuitous stamping on Anwar has put the entire

French campaign in jeopardy.

And Jacquet shows him no commiseration.

CROWD ROAR

Further goals by Henry and Lizarazu

only emphasise Zidane's folly.

The French go through to the second round,

where they must cope without their playmaker.

One consolation is that their defence looks increasingly impressive.

The expansion of the tournament brought some of the evolving nations

into the World Cup family.

Jamaica's first visit was accompanied by their exuberant fans

and they face a fierce test of their status against Argentina.

Gabriel Batistuta is an accomplished international striker

while Ariel Ortega is already being hailed as the new Maradona.

SPANISH COMMENTARY

Gooaaaal!

Indeed, it is these two players who show the Reggae Boyz

their true place in the world order.

Ortega notches the first two goals,

while Batistuta registers

what will be the only hat-trick of this World Cup.

Goooaaal!

Argentina's three straight wins in their group bring them

face to face with a familiar foe in the second round.

Batistuta!

FANS CHANT: England, England, England...

England had brushed aside Tunisia in their first game in Marseille,

with Paul Scholes confirming his progress at international level.

Later, David Beckham has broke back to display his dead ball skills.

But it was the introduction of Michael Owen that made

the biggest impact, by scoring the goal

that should've earned England a draw

against Romania - but didn't.

This lapse pitches them against Argentina in St Etienne.

But the infusion of youth has turned England into a balanced, pacey team.

What follows is an epic game.

COMMENTATOR: Seaman makes the tackle. Penalty! A penalty has been given.

First advantage to Argentina as Diego Simeone wins a penalty

from Seaman's misguided challenge.

FANS: England!

COMMENTATOR: Goooaaaal!

Batistuta calmly dispatches

his fifth goal in four games.

Chance here for Owen, just outside the box,

going for the heart of goal, brought down! Penalty!

England quickly retaliate in kind,

as Owen's rush to goal teases Ayala into fateful contact.

What Batistuta can do at one end,

Shearer does at the other.

Beckham's short pass is now the prelude to an astonishing

World Cup moment.

Control, pace and sheer willpower

propel the 18-year-old Michael Owen

to a momentous goal.

In one magical instant, Owen becomes an icon in world football,

his image beamed around the globe, his outrageous talent

eagerly acknowledged by the press.

Electrified by such a startling goal,

England press forward in search of more.

But Scholes' close range miss becomes the first

of a series of "if only" moments.

Spared from going two goals behind, Argentina revive

and suddenly the plan

on the coach's chalkboard becomes reality on the pitch.

Zanetti's surgically clean strike levels the scores

in the beat of half-time.

But the mood of the game is about to darken.

Beckham's act of petty revenge on Simeone earns him

an instant red card.

Even as the young player walks off,

his critics are dipping their pens in poison.

Glenn Hoddle has no sympathy.

His priority is to reorganise his ten-man team.

Every player, even Shearer, must be a defender for England now.

A sustained sequence of defiant

tackling keeps Argentina at bay,

with Tony Adams at the heart of the resistance.

COMMENTATOR: Oh, it's gone in! A goal. No, he's disallowed it.

But then England think they've snatched a victory against the odds.

Sol Campbell is celebrating. There are three players off the pitch at the moment.

Until Campbell realises his great moment has been erased from history.

Shearer had fouled goalkeeper Roa.

FINAL WHISTLE

The team survive an agonised period of sudden death.

But for England once again,

a penalty shoot-out becomes their point of departure,

as David Batty's final miss is added to Paul Ince's earlier fail.

There are no recriminations, just professional sympathy.

But after three such exits in major tournaments,

England must one day confront their fear of the penalty shoot-out

and conquer it.

Argentina march on.

Teams from Africa now arrive as serious contenders.

No less a figure than Pele had predicted a World Cup win

for the continent by the millennium.

The 1990 quarterfinalists Cameroon started brightly

against Austria, as Pierre Njanka dazzled with a solo goal.

But with seconds to go, the defence began celebrating too soon,

allowing Toni Polster a crucial equaliser. Three points became one.

Thumped 3-0 by Italy, Cameroon needed a win over Chile to move on

but Sierra's brilliant free kick

made survival unlikely for the Africans.

Until Patrick M'Boma boomed in an equaliser.

But a draw was not enough.

CHEERING

The Moroccans declared

their talents by twice taking

the lead against a rugged Norway.

Mustapha Hadji's sinuous skills

bringing him a brilliant goal.

Hadda's strike was pure power.

The 2-2 draw gave them a chance of qualifying ahead of the Norwegians.

Morocco predictably lost to Brazil,

but they outclassed a threadbare Scotland 3-0,

only to be cruelly denied progress by Norway's win over Brazil.

But their football charmed the world.

CROWD ROAR

Africa's principle hopes lay with Nigeria,

Olympic champions in '96 and now dripping with highly-prized talent.

They displayed their power with a startling win over Spain.

Raul's brilliant volley had given the Spanish a 2-1 lead,

but a grotesque header by Zubizarreta

and a thunderous shot by Sunday Oliseh swept them to victory.

Victor Ikpeba's smart goal was

enough to see off an ageing Bulgaria

and to take the Africans into the second round to face Denmark.

Another display of power and pace was expected.

But it came from the Danes, not the Nigerians.

Early goals by Peter Moller

and Brian Laudrup clipped the wings

of the Super Eagles.

When second-half substitute Ebbe Sand scored with his first touch

to make it 3-0, Nigeria's morale collapsed.

A 4-1 defeat was a harsh reminder that sustained concentration

is needed to win World Cups.

A properly focused Nigeria would be a threat to all in Japan

and South Korea.

Both future hosts gained valuable experience at this World Cup.

Japan rewarded their followers with brave single goal defeats

to Argentina and Croatia.

While Nakayama scored his country's first World Cup goal

in a 2-1 loss to Jamaica.

South Korea suffered defeats by Holland and Mexico, but the world

audience was grateful for the draw which took out a lacklustre Belgium.

On FIFA's Fair Play Day,

the contrasting cultures of America and Iran came together in peace.

A game of no relevance to the tournament still had

ideological significance for the players.

It produced a memorable victory for Iran.

CROWD CHEER

Estili's first-half header put the Iranians into an ecstatic lead.

While the impressive Mahdavikia sealed a 2-1 victory that sent

his nation into tumult.

CROWD ROAR

But the real threat to the established powers

came from underrated teams such as Chile,

who boasted a potential star in Marcelo Salas.

His £15 million transfer to Lazio had suggested a major

South American talent.

His two-goal performance against Italy gives absolute confirmation.

Impressive as Salas is, some old talent is also on display.

Roberto Baggio, a veteran of the last two World Cups, had been summoned

late to add style and creativity to Italy's sterile midfield.

Having created one goal for Vieri, Baggio saves Italy's blushes

by winning a vital, if fortunate, penalty.

In taking the kick himself, Baggio confronts memories

which must have haunted him since his fatal miss in the '94 final.

Despite a Chilean's attempts to remind him,

Baggio scores

with Buddhist serenity.

The shared point helps both teams progress.

But Chile's reward is a major threat.

Salas, the South American Player of the Year, is now pitched

head-to-head with Ronaldo,

the World Player of the Year.

Two men blessed with frightening

pace and mesmerising control.

But Chile's nervous defence quickly tilts the balance towards Brazil.

Cesar Sampaio goes blissfully unmarked as he heads

the first goal.

His second comes after a Roberto Carlos free kick

pinballs its way around the area.

Carlos pretends it was intentional.

Now, Mario Zagallo's men begin to show

the sort of fluency of his great 1970 team.

Most importantly, Ronaldo is now in scoring form.

Brazil lead 3-0.

In the second half, Salas scores

his fourth goal of the tournament.

Neither he nor Ivan Zamorano will give up the fight.

But Ronaldo is rampant.

His second goal ushers a brave Chile through the exit door.

Brazil move on to the quarterfinals.

Meanwhile, France's unbeaten progress has aroused the nation

from its indifference.

Nobody wants to miss the tie against Paraguay.

But France are still without Zidane and become a blunt instrument.

FRENCH COMMENTARY

HE LISTENS TO RADIO COMMENTARY

Henry's effort is the closest to a goal in 90 minutes.

Into extra time, the hosts begin to step out along the tightrope.

The country holds its breath.

COMMENTATOR CELEBRATES

Laurent Blanc, golden goal!

Golden goal! Golden goal!

Only minutes before a shoot-out,

Laurent Blanc fires the Blues into the quarterfinal.

The first golden goal in World Cup history goes to France.

The French bandwagon is beginning to roll.

France are through, but so too are Italy, with three wins

and a draw behind them.

But all France cares about now

is that their talisman, Zidane, is back.

France have the World Cup tradition, but Italy the achievements.

For France, it's the same story from their previous games -

chances and misses.

For the Italian coach, Cesare Maldini,

years of service are at risk in this match.

Christian Vieri is Italy's best hope of a goal. He has five already.

But Barthez somehow keeps this effort out.

Vieri's strength is matched by the formidable Desailly.

France are on the very edge, but Barthez keeps his nerve.

In extra time, Baggio has one golden chance to finish the French.

But time has made him mortal after all.

The game will go down to penalties.

Could this be Baggio's last kick in World Cup football?

Lizarazu is the first to miss.

But Albertini immediately gives

away Italy's advantage.

Who will break next?

REFEREE BLOWS WHISTLE

In the end, Di Biagio is the one who finds the loaded chamber.

Barthez belatedly realises that France are through to the semifinal.

The last three World Cups have seen Italy defeated on penalties.

It is time to rebuild.

The critics believe that Germany's all conquering days are also over.

Their squad has too many old players and too many young ones,

with not enough in between.

But they showed enough fight to pull

back two goals against Yugoslavia.

In Jeremies' case, almost too much.

FOGHORNS

CROWD ROAR

Despite their age,

neither Jurgen Klinsmann nor Oliver Bierhoff have lost their edge.

Six goals between them carry the Germans through to a quarterfinal

where they face the surprise team of the tournament - Croatia.

Behind the smiles and the handshakes,

Croatia have unfinished business with the Germans

from their bruising game in Euro '96.

And for the first half at least,

both sides are intent on intimidation.

REF BLOWS WHISTLE

Even Bierhoff get into the spirit, and he is lucky to see only yellow.

WHISTLING AND JEERING

At least his header is a rare piece of legitimate football action.

TUMULT IN CROWD

Eventually, Suker's dramatic tumble provokes an inevitable response

from the referee.

And Christian Worns must walk after two yellow cards.

CHEERING

Robert Jarni's goal completes a desperate first half

for the Germans, and worse is to come.

THEY CHANT

With 12 of his squad over 30, coach Berti Vogts has few options.

The Germans are tiring fast.

Brilliant goals by Goran Vlaovic

and then Davor Suker finish the Germans off.

The 3-0 defeat is their biggest in the World Cup since 1954.

CHEERING

Croatia are through to the semifinals in their first-ever

World Cup. An astonishing achievement.

It is the end of a golden era for German football, as Klinsmann,

Matthaus, Moller and Hassler take their white shirts into retirement.

CHURCH BELLS TOLL

With the three European winners of the World Cup now eliminated,

Brazil's fans should have little need for prayer.

SHE BLOWS WHISTLE

FANS CHEER

CROWD PROTEST

Denmark's decision to attack Brazil is brave but provocative.

It yields an early reward with Jorgensen's goal.

CHEERING

But Brazilian teams like nothing more than to trade goals,

provided they score one more.

And tonight,

Ronaldo confounds the Danes by dropping deep to become provider.

Bebeto hardly needs more than a touch to score,

so fine was the pass.

Ronaldo is becoming a player who can damage

the opposition from anywhere on the park.

Only foul play can stop Ronaldo, and this looks a genuine injury,

despite Schmeichel's protests.

Restored to health,

Ronaldo sets up Rivaldo to give

Brazil a 2-1 lead at half-time.

But the Danes keep up the entertainment. When Roberto Carlos

falls off his bicycle, Brian Laudrup pounces to equalise.

Rivaldo finds a gap that even Schmeichel can't cover.

Brazil win 3-2 and take their expected place in the semifinal.

The usual carnival begins.

And nobody at it cares that the Brazilian defence is

beginning to leak goals. Why spoil the party?

While Brazil wait for Argentina to join them in the semifinal,

Holland plan a revenge for their defeat in the 1978 final.

Dennis Bergkamp is fit and scoring and the Dutch squad is,

for once, at peace with itself.

The tone of the game is set by Kluivert's early goal,

a payback to his team for his dismissal against Belgium.

This will be a quarterfinal

blessed with attacking instincts.

Lopez promptly equalises,

helped by Holland's chaotic offside trap.

CROWD PROTEST AND JEER

Despite Argentina's fine football, there remains in it

a calculated desire to take opponents out of the game.

Simeone's dramatic response

to Numan's foul ensures a second yellow card for the Dutchman.

And when Ortega is denied the penalty he played for,

he cannot control his anger.

Like Maradona, Ortega ends his first World Cup in disgrace.

As extra time beckons the two ten-man teams,

Frank de Boer's hit-and-hope pass gives Bergkamp the chance

to score one of the best goals

of the tournament.

CHEERING

Holland go through to the semifinals.

Of the four teams left, three have never won the World Cup before.

Can Bergkamp finally lead Holland to the crown that was twice

denied them in the 1970s?

RUMBLING DRUMBEAT

CROATIA FANS CHANT

France and Croatia have surprised their supporters

with their progress.

But now expectations are high.

France's team colours are the only make-up for this evening.

While the Croatian fans are a wall of noise and colour.

FANS CHANT

FANS CHANT

The French are even ready to put their shirt on the team.

REFEREE BLOWS WHISTLE

France surges into attack.

They will never have such a chance again in a lifetime.

Home advantage against an unseeded team.

CROWD ROAR

But this transmits a crippling anxiety to France's shooting.

Even Zidane is fallible.

And every chance the French miss, fuels Croatia's belief

in their ultimate triumph.

Michel Platini revisits old anxieties.

REFEREE BLOWS WHISTLE

FOGHORNS

REFEREE BLOWS WHISTLE

In the first minute of the second half,

France's worst nightmare comes true.

Davor Suker scores as Lilian Thuram plays him onside.

Croatia are 44 minutes from the final.

ANNOUNCER: Goal for Croatia...

The French forwards feel the pressure.

But full-back Thuram is enraged by his own error.

Within a minute, he brings France back to life.

CHEERING

FANS BEAT DRUM

SINGING IN CROWD

CROWD ROAR

Thuram hasn't finished.

The defender storms forward for another goal

and ponders an alternative career as a striker.

INDISTINCT SPEECH FROM ANNOUNCER

..number 15, Lilian Thuram!

CHEERING

CROWD PROTEST

Croatia are on the run.

But Slaven Bilic cynically tries to win an advantage for his team.

Laurent Blanc is sent off and will miss the final.

Assuming the French can hold on to their lead.

ANNOUNCER: Substitution for France.

Number six, Youri Djorkaeff!

CHEERING

ANNOUNCER: Number 18, Frank Leboeuf!

CHEERING

FANS SING

Croatia pour forward in a desperate bid to equalise.

But the French, edged on by La Marseillaise, will not be beaten.

REFEREE BLOWS FINAL WHISTLE

After three semifinal defeats in their World Cup history,

France are at last in the final itself.

Croatia's great adventure ends with tears.

But they will go on to take third place while Suker will claim

the Golden Boot, the tournament top scorer on six goals.

At the other semifinal,

two hordes of passionate supporters descend on Marseille.

FANS CHANT: Brazil! Brazil! Brazil!

For many, the game will revolve around two outstanding forwards.

Ronaldo and Bergkamp.

This is spiced by the fact that Ronaldo played his first

senior football in Holland.

Europe versus South America, a match to savour.

SINGING

After all the anticipation,

the first half is suffocated by the heat and the tension.

Every run is into a cul-de-sac.

While Ronaldo is in the grip of his former PSV team-mate, Jaap Stam.

Kluivert misses, and there is nothing so far from Bergkamp.

Perhaps the cool of the night will revive the game in the second half.

CHANTING FROM CROWD

FANS ROAR

Ronaldo pounces on Rivaldo's angled pass to put Brazil ahead.

The highly priced but underused Denilson is brought on

to preoccupy the Dutch defence.

ANNOUNCER CONFIRMS SUBSTITUTION

Only a brilliant rescue by Davids stops Brazil adding a second.

Denilson's skills begin to cast a sorcerer's spell on the Dutch.

But there is nothing magical about Rivaldo's effort.

Brazil should have had this game in the bag by now.

With minutes remaining, Brazil paid a penalty.

Kluivert soars above a static defence to equalise.

CROWD ROAR

ANNOUNCER: Patrick Kluivert!

Extra time and sudden death bring a further chill to the night.

One of these two fine teams must lose.

First Kluivert and then Ronaldo threaten to score the golden goal.

But for once, their alchemy fails them

and Bergkamp has been a mere shadow.

Penalties will decide. It will be a lingering death, not a sudden one.

FOGHORNS

CHEERING

CHEERING

Taffarel's brilliant save from Cocu

and Ronald de Boer lift Brazil into yet another World Cup final.

This is the least their fans expected

and now, the celebrations can begin.

Mario Zagallo has won World Cups as a player

and coach over a span of 40 years.

What more history can this great man of football yet achieve?

July 12, 1998.

For Brazilian fans today,

their Sunday worship will be of earthly gods.

The likes of Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Denilson inspire faith, not doubt.

So a fifth World Cup seems assured.

The French team must defy history if they are to sweep Brazil aside.

No host country has won for 20 years.

Inside the Stade de France, the new shrine to football,

the French team take a form of communion while their fans believe

that anything is possible now that the team has reached the final.

The first sign of an upset arrives as the Brazilian squad

fail to come out for their customary warm up.

This leaves the outgoing FIFA President to guard their trophy.

As the countdown to kick-off quickens, the mystery deepens.

Rumours sweep the stadium that Ronaldo is injured

and out of the Brazilian team.

Then another sweeps back saying he is fit

and he plays.

Confusion turns to speculation.

When the teams finally emerge, Ronaldo is there,

looking like a schoolboy who has been dragged to the opera.

Brazil may be joined in hands, but obviously not in spirit.

BAND PLAYS: "La Marsellaise"

FANS AND PLAYERS SING

The anthem of the French Republic is now a signal for another revolution.

The overthrow of football's ruling power is at hand.

FANS SING

CHEERING

Sensing Brazil's disarray, the French storm into attack.

FRENCH COMMENTARY

Guivarc'h's missed chances are beginning to mount up.

Zidane suffers once more.

A first glimpse of Ronaldo in action

confirms his unease.

A poor cross is made exciting only by Barthez's fumble.

REFEREE BLOWS WHISTLE

FRENCH COMMENTARY

But Zidane senses a warning.

Having seen so many missed chances,

he decides to take the scoring initiative himself.

CHEERING

From Petit's corner, Zidane heads France in front.

ECSTATIC FRENCH COMMENTARY

Atoning for his suspension has plainly become a personal quest

for Zidane.

CHEERING

CROWD PROTEST AND WHISTLE

If Ronaldo wasn't injured before the game, he is now.

But Barthez's challenge was fair

and his sportsmanship is outstanding.

This public injury adds to whatever Ronaldo has suffered in private.

Suddenly, his face is that of an old man.

Mario Zagallo senses that his star is close to burning out.

Crucially, the French know this too and forage for more goals.

Petit is only a deflection away.

The Brazil defence begins to wear a haunted look.

EXCITED FRENCH COMMENTARY

But this is more than matched by Guivarc'h's tormented expression

as another chance to make history goes begging.

The Brazilian defence is crumbling.

Zidane steals in again for another goal.

Roberto Carlos finds that the problem with having huge thighs

is that he cannot close his legs.

REFEREE BLOWS WHISTLE

INDISTINCT ANNOUNCEMENT

Number 10, Zinedine Zidane!

Zidane's goals have the French nation in a frenzy.

Who could have believed a 2-0 lead over the champions by the interval?

It was as possible as

a French cockerel eating a South American banana.

REFEREE BLOWS WHISTLE

Despite his apparent ailments,

Ronaldo still leads Brazil into what must now be a do-or-die second half.

CROWD ROAR

REFEREE BLOWS WHISTLE

Desailly earns what will prove a fateful booking.

In a defining moment, Ronaldo merely shoots

when he would normally have scored.

Barthez gratefully smothers the ball.

Whatever befell the young Brazilian

star that day, it is doubtful

that he could have coped with the French defence, even fully fit.

They gave him no space to turn. No air to breathe.

And no time to dream.

The French cover every eventuality.

Even the extravagant trickery of Denilson cannot fool

a rock-solid French defence.

But for one mad moment,

Desailly's discipline deserts him.

A second yellow card means dismissal.

CROWD PROTEST

A sudden dread fills French hearts,

as ghosts of previous failures rise again.

To Aime Jacquet, the seconds will now feel like minutes.

Zidane urges his team to more defiance.

A goal now for Brazil would be

like a blood transfusion.

But Emmanuel Petit, moved into defence,

intends to cut off all supplies.

Both coaches are tortured by time.

One has too little, the other too much.

Dugarry can put everyone out of their misery.

But his feeble shot extends the agony.

France are close to making history.

Denilson's shot against the bar marks Brazil's last chance

to turn the tide of events.

Instead, they are swamped by a third French goal,

scored by the irrepressible Petit.

ECSTATIC FRENCH COMMENTARY

Now France can believe at last.

CHEERING

ANNOUNCER: Number 17, Emmanuel Petit!

REFEREE BLOWS FINAL WHISTLE

France are world champions.

INDISTINCT ANNOUNCEMENT

-ANNOUNCER: Laurent... CROWD:

-Blanc!

-ANNOUNCER: Marcel... CROWD:

-Desailly!

-ANNOUNCER: Fabien... CROWD:

-Barthez!

-ANNOUNCER: Zinedine... CROWD:

-Zidane!

-ANNOUNCER: Emmanuel... CROWD:

-Petit!

-ANNOUNCER: Didier... CROWD:

-Deschamps!

1998, grands champions du monde, l'equipe de France!

After all the doubts, the French team scored more goals

and conceded fewer than any other team in the tournament.

The 16th World Cup has worthy winners.

MUSIC: "La Cour Des Grands (Do You Mind If I Play)" by Youssou N'Dour and Axelle Red