Hi, my name is David and I’ll be your live reporter today. You will be given you minute by minute updates for the biggest game, of the beautiful game. These next 90 minutes could prove to be the most important for the managers, players and fans of these Countries, and I will be here to keep you in touch.
Embed from Getty Images19:30 The players begin their warm ups and begin preparing for the game, only they will be able to describe the thoughts and feeling going through their heads at this time
19:33 Just a reminder of the starting XI’s for tonight’s showdown:
BRAZIL: Taffarel, Cafu, Baiano, Aldair, Carlos, Dunga, Sampaio, Leonardo, Rivaldo, Bebeto, Ronaldo
Manager: Mario Zagallo
FRANCE: Barthez, Thuram, Leboeuf, Desailly, Lizarazu, Deschamps, Karembeu, Petit, Zidane, Djorkaeff, Guivarc’h
Manager: Aime Jacquet
Referee: Said Belqola
19: 40 BREAKING NEWS: Brazil’s main outlet Ronaldo, despite being named in the starting line up for todays, is faced with a late injury knock. He is however still expected to continue.
19: 50: The players begin their walkout. It all comes down to this.
19: 53 The players line up and begin their national anthems
Embed from Getty ImagesThe squad photos are as follows:
Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty ImagesKICK OFF: We are finally underway in this heavily anticipated World cup final…
1′ Brazil dominate early possession as right back Cafu drives forward. He plays it to Bebeto who gives it to Sampaio who is dispossessed by Djoekaeff. The Brazilian then fouls his opponent. France freekick
3′ CHANCE: A ball is played in behind to France’s number 9 Guivarch, but after pressure from Brazil’s Bainano, Taffarel comfortably claims the ball
6′ FOUL: Defender Cafu fouls Lizarazu near the touchline. Zidane steps up to take
6′ CHANCE: A good ball in from Zidane and poor Brazil defending meant Djorkaeff was able to get a head on it. He heads it over the bar to their opponents relief.
8′ Brazil continue to dominate the ball and are moving it around swiftly, the better chances however, have fallen to their opponents.
Embed from Getty Images12′ CHANCE: Cafu gets forward after a 1-2 with Leonardo. He beats Desailly, and puts the ball into the box, where there were no bodies to get on the end of it. Roberto Carlos then plays to Rivaldo on the edge of the box but it tackled by Deschamps. France come away with the ball.
17′ CHANCE: Djorkaeff drives forward again, and shoots from distance, Taffarel watches it go past him, as his effort sails wide.
21′ CHANCE: Ronaldo, yet to show his worth, beats Thuram on the left hand side, and after his unintended shot, which was a cross, left Barthez uncertain, but gathers the ball safely.
23′ CHANCE: Opportunities are starting to come flow for Brazil as corner leads to a powerful header from Cafu, in which he rose above everyone is straight at the goalkeeper.
26′ Roberto Carlos gives away a cheap corner after taking one touch too many touches. He is the warned by the referee after he kicks the corner flag in frustration as he thought it should be a throw-in instead.
26′ GOAL! (Zinedine Zidane THE DEADLOCK IS BROKEN: After Roberto Carlos gives away an avoidable corner, Petit’s out-swinger is played in where Zidane gets his head on the ball, forcing Taffarel to watch it fly past him. FRANCE DRAW FIRST BLOOD
Embed from Getty Images30′ After a ball over the top, injury doubted Ronaldo, with his eyes on the ball clatters into Barthez. While the France keeper gets straight back up, The Brazilian striker remains on the deck. The Morrocan referee is forced to stop the game.
33′ FOUL: A ball is played into Djorkaeff’s feet and his attempt to turn is stopped by Baiano, the referee gives the foul to France and the Brazillian defender is the first name in the book.
35′ CHANCE: Djorkaeff once again drives with the ball and shoots from distance. His shot is then comfortably gathered by the Brazillian goalkeeper. France remain on the front foot while they remain a goal to the good.
37′ FOUL: Cafu attempts to dribble with the ball on the left hand side of the pitch but is stopped by a sliding tackle from Didier Dechamps. The France captain is added to the book.
Embed from Getty Images41′ CHANCE: The ball comes forward to Emmanuel Petit on the volley, after what seemed to be a deflected strike, the ball hits the side netting. The referee disagrees however, gives a goal kick.
44′ CHANCE: Thuram plays it forward to Guivarch where he hits the volley on his left foot. Taffarel gets a hand to it. Corner to France
45 + 1′ GOAL! (Goal scorer Zinadine Zidane) 2 CORNERS, 2 ZIDANE HEADERS: After another corner, France find the back of the net. Brazil will be disappointed after more poor defending. Zidane free headed goal makes it a brace for himself. He runs away to celebrate kissing the badge.
Embed from Getty ImagesHALFTIME: After a captivating 45 minutes of football, France are looking the more comfortable as they lead the match by 2 goals. The players and managers head down the tunnel.
45′ We are back underway…
46′ YELLOW CARD: French midfielder Desailly trips Cafu over. A freekick is given, but he seems to disagree with the referee’s decision, he is booked for what seems to be dissent.
Embed from Getty Images55′ YELLOW CARD: Karembeu is the fourth player to be booked after a challenge from behind on Denilson. Freekick to Brazil
56′ CHANCE: After a quiet game for Brazil’s talisman. The freekcick falls to his right foot, and a volley from a tight angle forces a good save and claim for Barthez. This is his first real test so far.
57′ SUBSTITUTION: Karambeu is taken off as the first sub of the final. The booking he just received may have been in Aime Jacquet’s thoughts. Alaine Bogghossain replaces him.
Embed from Getty Images60′ CHANCE: After a long throw-in from Roberto Carlos, Barthez left in 2 minds comes rushing off his line, and a shot from Bebeto is cleared by Desailly.
63′ CHANCE: A ball is played over the top to Guivarch, and after a misplaced header from Cafu. It falls for the Striker on the volley which he skies. More misery for France’s number 9, as his competition remains goalless.
65′ SUBSTITUTION: Guivarch’s day comes to an end as he is being replaced. Christopher Dugarry comes on.
68′ RED CARD: Desailly receives a second yellow card and is sent for an early shower after a late challenge on Cafu. He knew his fate as he began walking before he was even shown the red card.
Embed from Getty Images69′ Patrick Viera will be his replacement.
74′ SUBSTITUTION: Brazil finally make their first substitution as Sampaio is replaced by Edmundo.
80′ France remain compact and disciplined in their shape after going down to 10 men. While Brazil have dominated possession, they are still yet to capitalise.
Embed from Getty Images82′ CHANCE: After a swift one-two between Dugarry and Zidane, he is left one on one with the keeper, he fails to hit the target and his shot is dragged wide.
86′ It’s all about game management now for France with 4 minutes left. They remain strong in their defensive shape and are doing well to keep the ball whenever they get it.
88′ More great game management for France as Thuram drives with the ball on the right hand side, and after he is able to get away from Denilson, he is fouled.
Embed from Getty Images90′ 2 minutes of stoppage time is added on
90 + 1 CHANCE: Denilson hits the bar after a left footed shot, Brazil, yet again, fail to break their deadlock
90 + 2 GOAL! (Emmanuel Petit) GAME.SET.MATCH: After a counter attack followed by Brazil’s own corner, the Arsenal teammates combine as Viera plays a ball in behind for Emmanuel Petit which he hits it first time and slots it into the bottom right hand corner.
FT: LIFTOFF FOR FRANCE. The Moroccan referee blows the final whistle and France jump and scream in jubilation as they seal this years World Cup. The Brazil team is left distraught and are gutted by not only the result but their rather underwhelming performance in todays game. France most definitely deserved todays win
Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty ImagesAfter just over a month of absorbing football, the 16th World cup comes to a halt. The French will be most pleased.
Some of the Worlds best footballers were on the pitch today, but ultimately it was Zidane with his brace who stepped up when it really mattered.
I have been your host David Olubiyi, and much appreciated for joining us today and for the last four weeks of the 1998 World cup. I hope you enjoy the rest of your nights after a captivating game!
