“He taught me How, to Watch, Fight and Pray, Yes, Fight and Pray!” »». Lilian Thuram is obviously the improbable hero of the France-Croatie semi-final of the 1998 World Cup. The defender of the Blues, used on the right by Aimé Jacquet, scored a legendary double to qualify his team, on a one-two with Youri Djorkaeff (47th), a minute after being at fault on the opening of the Croatian score signed Davor (46th), then an absolutely improbable (70th) rolled up from the left. The moment is obviously immortalized in the documentary Eyes in the Blues by Stéphane Meunier with the skillful introduction of Gospel song Oh Happy Day.
France only conceded two small goals during its journey to the coronation against Brazil (3-0), on July 12, 1998. Beaten by Michael Laudrup in the third group of groups against Denmark (2-1), Bernard Lama not wishing to integrate the eleven for “the hairdressers' match”, Barthez was shot by Suker during the semi-finals stretched in Saint-Denis. He could not face the Real Madrid striker, who finished top scorer in the World Cup thanks to his 6th achievement during the small final against the Netherlands.
Barthez avoids extension
Alongside Thuram, “Barthez becomes the other hero”
half, as highlights it The Parisian When returning to the meeting against the Croats dated July 8, 1998. In the 95th minute of the game, the players of Miroslav Blazevic indeed had a last opportunity. Goran Vlaovic, striker from Valence, then near the surface, sent a powerful strike that Frank Leboeuf has deviated. The ball then took the direction of the goal with a lobed trajectory but “Fabulous Fab” then slammed the ball in corner. To the great relief of an entire nation.
In The team The next day, the winner of the 1993 Champions League with OM obtained the note of 7/10.
“Between two aerial outings, he especially spoke a lot to put order in the defensive system taken in default by the liveliness of the Croats. He is delivered to himself on the goal of Suker. Reassuring bullets at the end of the match. He saves the ball of the match at the last second “is it written in the columns of the sports daily. Fabien Barthez will be even more imperial against Ronaldo and others in the final.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFPJSBFI2LS
