A few days before the final of the World of 1998, in which they thrashed Brazil 3-0, the France It took a little more effort to qualify for the final act. In the semi-final, the Bleus found themselves facing the Croatia and won 2-1 thanks to a brace from Lilian Thuramwho is the last defender to have scored a brace in a World Cup finals. Miroslav Blazevic’s men took the lead with Suckerwho in the 46th minute, just one minute into the second half, on an assist from Asanovic, beat Barthez with a low left-footed shot after a sublime control with his left foot.
After just one minute, France found the equaliser. The ball was recovered in the final 20 metres by Thuram, and the ball ended up at the feet of Djorkaeff, who with a soft touch from the outside of his right foot put the centre-back in front of goal. At that point, the then Parma player only had to cross with the inside of his right foot to beat Ladic. The lead came in the 69th minute with a pearl once again from the unexpected striker Thuram, who won a duel with his direct opponent, came back onto his left foot and practically from the edge of the right penalty area unleashed a curling shot with his left foot that found the back post. A madness by Laurent Blanc in the 76th minute, who slapped his opponent in the face after he was being held back, left France with 10 men. The suffering at the end, however, did not change the result and Aimé Jacquet’s national team reached the final. Below is the scoresheet of the match:
France – Croatia 2-1
France (4-3-1-2): Barthez; Thuram, Desailly, Blanc, Lizarazu; Karembeu (from 30′ Henry), Deschamps, Petit; Zidane; Djorkaeff (from 74′ Leboeuf), Guivarc’h (from 69′ Trezeguet). Ct: Jacquet.
Croatia (4-3-1-2): Ladic; Simic, Stimac, Bilic, Jarni; Stanic (from 89′ Prosinecki), Soldo, Asanovic; Boban (from 65′ Maric); Sucker, Vlaovic. Ct: Blazevic.
Markers: 46′ Suker (C), 47′ and 69′ Thuram (F)
Referee: Jose Maria Garcia-Aranda