In 1998, France not only hosted the World Cup – they wrote one of the most beautiful fairy tales in world football history. On the brightly lit Stade de France, Les Bleus won their first-ever World Cup тιтle with a convincing 3-0 victory over mighty Brazil in the final.

Before kick-off, the entire planet was shaken when Brazilian superstar Ronaldo suffered a severe seizure just hours before the match. “The Alien” took to the field in an abnormal condition. And then Zinedine Zidane appeared like a god. Within the first 18 minutes of the first half, “Zizou” twice soared high, heading accurately from corner kicks, giving France a 2-0 lead. In the 90+3 minute, Emmanuel Peтιт sealed the 3-0 victory with a cool finish, closing out a legendary night.

It was a victory for the “Rainbow Team”—a multicultural team with Zidane, Thierry Henry, Lilian Thuram, Laurent Blanc, Marcel Desailly… They were not only strong in talent but also symbols of national unity and harmony. Coach Aimé Jacquet, who had been heavily criticized, finally smiled happily as captain Didier Deschamps lifted the Jules Rimet trophy amidst a sea of ​​fluttering tricolor flags and tens of thousands of cheering spectators.

More than 26 years have pᴀssed, but Zidane’s two legendary headers remain one of the most beautiful moments in World Cup history. For Vietnamese fans, the 1998 World Cup is an unforgettable memory: late nights in Saigon, the whole family gathered in front of the TV screen, hearts pounding with every pᴀss and cheering as Zidane dived.

What moment do you remember most from Les Bleus that year? Zidane’s two headers, the Ronaldo drama, or the image of Deschamps lifting the trophy?

Leave a comment below and let’s relive the dream of Stade de France 1998 together!