ZINEDINE ZIDAN HANDS FRANCE THE FIFA WORLD CUP ON HOME SOIL: TODAY IN SOCCER.

Only a few would ever know that Jules Rimet, the father of the FIFA World cup is of French origin but am sure a whole lot of people remember vivdly the frills and thrills of that competition. The Brazillian team that had the likes of Ronaldo De Lima, Rivaldo, Cafu etc while France paraded Zinedine Zidane, Lilian Thuram, Patrick Viera, Emmanuel Petit, Marcel Desailly etc. It was a mouth watering final match in all ramifications.


The best ever finish the Les Bleus had ever achieved were two semi final appearances in 1982 and 1986, but this time in their home country the team managed by Aimet Jacquet was determined to join the ranks of Uruguay (1930), Italy (1934), England (1966), Germany (1974) and Argentina (1978): teams who have won the World cup competition on their home soil. All the major countries qualified for the 1998 World Cup. The hosts hadn't played in a World Cup since 1986 and the home fans were cautious in their predictions before the tournament, but after three comfortable wins in the first round the football temperature reached fever heights. Coach Aime Jacquet had built a solid defensive foundation that refused to be beaten. Only two goals were conceded in the whole tournament as France captured their first ever World Cup title with a convincing 3-0 win over Brazil in the final. Zidane stepped up and wrote his name in with golden letters in World Cup history with two headed goals in the final - which was the heaviest defeat Brazil has suffered in World Cup history.

French Team Led By Zinedine Zidane Take Turns To Hoist The World Cup Trophy.

The final game was clouded with the mystery of Ronaldo's late reinstatement on the team sheet in place of Edmundo. Amid reports of a pre-match fit, Ronaldo was a strange shadow of his usual self and France, despite the absence of the suspended Blanc, were soon in command. Two Zidane headers from corners gave them a 2-0 interval lead. Despite Marcel Desailly's second-half dismissal, Aime Jacquet's side even managed a third as Emmanuel Petit concluded a counterattack in the last minute.

The final whistle from Moroccan referee Said Belqola, the first African to officiate at a FIFA World Cup Final, was the signal for the entire population to celebrate. A team representing the multi-racial mix of the modern France had united the nation. The Champs Elysees alone attracted over a million revellers, who danced through the long night. Thus, after 60 years, the cup finally came home.

It was a remarkable competition in the sense that it was the first time it was being hosted in a 32 team format with Africa getting five slots for the first time plus the Super Eagles of Nigeria defeating the Spanish National team led by the likes of Raul Gonzalez, Josep Guardiola, Mario Salgallo, \fernando Hierro and Zubizarretta in the group stages of the competition with goals from Mutiu Adepoju and Sunday Oliseh.. France '98 also marked the end of the Golden generation of the Super Eagle's team that was put together by coach Clemens Westerhoff.