In 1998 the World Cup was contended by 32 national teams. In spite of criticism, no tremendous goals were scored and the tournament was the most balanced of all times. There was no outstanding team either, and France obtained its first World Cup champion title. It was also the TV World Cup. As a whole, the audience included 37 billion TV spectators, an average of 578 million people per match.
Curious records were, among others, the way the player from Cameroon Song covered his opponents. He was the only player to receive two red cards in World Cup history and had also been sent off in the 1994 World Cup USA.
The Brazilian team defended the title obtained four years before; however people were not fascinated by their soccer play, and they got through to the second round after a 2-1 defeat with Norway. In the first round, in spite of 3 victories, France lost Zidane, who was sent off in the opening game for two matches and had difficulty to reach the final.
The world was surprised by Croatia’s objective and well played soccer. The country resulted in third position and obtained the title of best goal scoring team of the tournament, with 6 goals. Germany was one of its victims, as it was defeated 3-0 in quarter finals. The Croatian team was disqualified by France by a 2-1 score in the semi-final.
The top final that took place on July 12, must have been the duel between Zidane and Ronaldo, stars of both national teams. However, only the French played the match; a convulsion previously suffered by the Brazilian prevented him from fully developing his game. With 2 goals by Zidane and one by Petit, France conquered the title that generated the country’s most popular feast since late World War II.
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