This June 12, 1998, the Blues are particularly expected. Aimé Jacquet's men are indeed launching their World Cup in Marseille against South Africa. A first meeting that the French team does not approach in the best conditions. As a result of the severe criticisms that have escorted her for many months.
Aimé Jacquet, for whom these criticisms will constitute a real murderer, is particularly targeted. Christophe Dugarry is also very criticized, many observers pointing to his ineffectiveness. But on June 12, 1998, the former Bordeaux held his revenge. On the bench at the start, the n ° 21 tricolor comes into play in the 26th minute to replace Stéphane Guivarc'h, injured in the thigh.
A few minutes later, the Barcelona, beautifully served by Zinedine Zidane maintained his bad reputation by missing his face to face in front of the South African goalkeeper. But in the process, with once again Zizou with a baguette, Christophe Dugarry opens the scoring thanks to a magnificent head on a corner. Enough to capsize the velodrome and give rise to a scene whose images are still in all memories.
The revenge of Christophe Dugarry
Because Christophe Dugarry lets his joy explode. And its resentment. After raising his arms in a conventional way, the native of Lormont embarks on a surprising cavalcade, a tongue drawn, before the press gallery. The hero of the day will explain it in Stéphane Meunier's documentary, “eyes in the Blues”. “In my head, I say to myself” damn, I have nicked you, I have nicked you! ” In the gallery you see them, all these fucking journalists. And I say to myself “damn, I have nicked you!”, he explains.
“Duga” had returned to this sequence at the microphone of SFR Sport in 2017 and to the small music played by certain media according to which, his presence at the World Cup was only due to his proximity to Zinedine Zidane. “It always made me laugh when you said Dugarry is in selection because it is Zizou's friend,” he had confided. Because, sincerely, at no time, and those who know Zinedine will say, he would have allowed himself to go see the coach to ask him for this kind of thing. »»
