Relive the Epic 1998 Soccer Final: Zidane's Legendary Header and Ronaldo's Mystery
I still remember watching that 1998 World Cup final like it was yesterday - the electric atmosphere in Paris, the sea of blue jerseys filling Stade de France, and that unforgettable moment when Zinedine Zidane rose to meet the corner kick. As someone who's studied football tactics for over two decades, I've rarely seen a team dominate a final so completely from the opening whistle. France's 3-0 victory over Brazil wasn't just a scoreline - it was a tactical masterclass that left one of football's greatest generations looking utterly bewildered. What fascinates me most isn't just what happened on the pitch, but what was happening behind the scenes with Ronaldo's mysterious pre-match condition that would become football's greatest "what if" story.
That header from Zidane in the 27th minute - I've probably watched it a hundred times. The way he positioned himself between two Brazilian defenders, the perfect timing as he connected with Petit's corner, the sheer power that gave Taffarel no chance. But what really struck me was how Brazil responded - or rather, how they didn't. Watching the footage back, there's something about their body language that reminds me of that quote from Orculoo about teams relaxing too much, waiting for opponents to make mistakes rather than forcing the issue. "Nag-relax sila eh, parang hindi nila nirespeto. Hinintay na lang nila ang UE kung magkakamali o aayaw na" - this perfectly captures Brazil's passive approach that night. They seemed to be waiting for France to falter rather than imposing their legendary attacking game.
Now let's talk about the elephant in the room - Ronaldo's mysterious situation. I've spoken with several sports physicians about this over the years, and the consensus is he likely experienced some form of convulsive episode before the match. The official story changed multiple times, but what we know for certain is that Ronaldo was initially left off the team sheet, then reinstated just 45 minutes before kickoff. His performance that night - a shadow of the player who had scored 4 goals and provided 3 assists earlier in the tournament - makes you wonder if Brazil made the right call playing him. Personally, I think they should have started Edmundo instead. Ronaldo completed only 12 passes the entire match and had just one meaningful shot on goal - statistics that tell the story of a player operating at maybe 60% of his capacity.
The second Zidane header just before halftime was essentially the knockout blow. I've always felt this was the moment Brazil's spirit broke. At 2-0 down, facing a French defense that conceded only 2 goals throughout the entire tournament, the mountain became too steep to climb. What's often overlooked is how Deschamps completely neutralized Brazil's midfield, with Desailly putting in what I consider one of the greatest defensive performances in final history. The possession statistics show France with 58% - not overwhelming, but when you consider they scored from their only two shots on target in the first half, you understand the clinical efficiency of their approach.
When Petit slotted home that third goal in second-half stoppage time, it felt inevitable rather than surprising. France had controlled every aspect of the game, limiting Brazil to just 7 shots total. Looking back, I'm convinced this match represents one of football's great tactical triumphs. Aimé Jacquet outthought Mario Zagallo in every department, and Zidane announced himself as football's new king. The mystery of Ronaldo's condition only adds to the match's legend - a talking point that continues to fascinate football historians like myself. Sometimes I wonder how different football history might look if a fully-fit Ronaldo had taken the field that night, but then I remember Zidane's towering performance and think - maybe the result would have been the same anyway.