France 1998

CHAMPION: France

RUNNER-UP: Brazil

GOLDEN BALL: Ronaldo (BRA)

GOLDEN SHOE: Davor Suker (CRO)

TEAMS: 32

TOTAL MATCHES: 64

GOALS SCORED: 171 (2.7 per match)

AVERAGE ATTENDANCE: 43,517

SUPRISES: Croatia became the second underdog in a row to upset Germany in the quarterfinals as leading tournament scorer Davor Suker led the small Balkan nation to a third-place finish.

FORMAT: Four teams in eight groups in the preliminary stage, group winners, runners-up advanced to the knockout round of sixteen, followed by single elimination knockout play through to the final.

FIFA FAIR PLAY AWARD: England, France

1998 – After hosting the World Cup in 1938, the tournament returned to France 60 years later and featured one of the strongest Les Bleus sides to date, led by star midfielder Zinedine Zidane. Oft criticized for underachieving (having only won the 1984 Euro), the French came out swinging and never looked back.

With the tournament expanded for the first time to 32 teams, the hosts won their first World Cup trophy, beating Brazil 3-0 in the final thanks to two headed goals by Zidane himself. Brazil produced fireworks of its own during the tournament though, mostly in the form of young superstar Ronaldo, who would later take the title as top all-time scorer in World Cup history in 2006.

Croatia was the surprise of the 1998 World Cup by finishing in third place and knocking Germany out along the way. The Croats were led by top goal scorer Davor Suker who finished the tournament with six goals.

In the group stage though, one match caught the world’s attention for political reasons when the United States faced Iran in Lyon. With millions watching and waiting for something incendiary to occur, the two teams played a match of great spirit and fairness which the Iranians won 2-1.

There was also another memorable match between Argentina and England, this time in the round of 16. England midfielder David Beckham was sent off for kicking out at Diego Simeone and the Lions eventually lost on penalties, further contributing to this massive rivalry.