There is a match in every world cup that a team must win and it is after having done so that a certain road opens to the final or perhaps even to the title. This being how I felt about Italy's match against Brazil in 82 or their match against Spain in 94 and this was exactly how I felt about their match against France in France 98. I being of the idea that if Italy could beat France than a game against either Germany (who was not playing so well) or Croatia in the semifinal would not be such a difficult proposition. Naturally after which it would be Brazil waiting for Italy in the final as had been the case four years earlier though on this occasion; it would be Italy to walk away with win and the championship.
France however was first before such dreams could even be passed through our minds. As for France, they had played well in their first two matches but then again their rivals had been far from quality opponents. In their third match however France had beaten Denmark but one must take in to consideration that both these teams had already qualified to the next round; so it made little difference that they won.
France's next game in the round of 16 being against Paraguay, whom they beat by 1-0 yet it was not without having to play overtime that the French team won this game and with plenty of difficulties. Over all France was not a brilliant team but a solid one which was well trained, disciplined, young, motivated and above all; were playing at home. These being all the factors they needed to overcome their perhaps lack of greatness. As for individual players, it would also be fair to say that none of their players were amongst the best who had ever played the game yet they too like their team were solid and consistent. Zidane and Henry perhaps being their most outstanding individually yet neither one of them had had a particularly outstanding world cup up till that point. Zidane, in fact would be coming back to the French team after having missed France's last two games due to having been shown the red card in France's second game.
For what concerned France, they were in the quarterfinals and playing well but this was hardly a reason to think they were going to win the world cup. After all they had been in this position in previous world cups in which they did not even make it to the final such as was the case in Spain 82 and Mexico 86. France had even made it to the semifinal of the recent European Championship where they were defeated by the Czech Republic; who did not even qualify to France 98. All of which making me believe that this was a team which Italy could beat if they just did what they were capable of.
Another thing about France was that not only had they never made it to a final, they had also not even qualified to a world cup since 86 and with regards to their football history; all they had were two third places and one fourth. This while Italy had three world cup titles and been runner-up twice yet this was no guarantee that on this particular day Italy had to win.
As for the history between Italy and France, they as a matter of fact had met each other back in the first world cup held in France in 38. It being in that quarterfinals match played so many years ago that Italy defeated France by 3-1 to become the first team to eliminate the host nation. Italy's goals on that occasion being scored first by Colaussi just 9 minutes in to the match to give Italy a lead which would last till the 10th minute of the game when Heisserer tied up the score for the local team. Italy however being the power it was back in the 30s went on to win the game in the second half when the legendary Piola scored two goals to clinch Italy's second passage in to the semifinals in as many world cups.
Italy and France went on to play each other in Argentina 78 and again it was Italy who prevailed by 2-1 with Italy's goals in that particular match being scored by Zaccarelli and Rossi while Lacombe scored France's goal just 35 seconds in to the match. Italy and France would go on to meet just 8 years later in Mexico 86 in a match which France would win by 2-0 with goals by Platini and Stopyra. Italy's lose however in Mexico 86 to France did not upset me all that much. This given that Italy's team back then was not one with enough quality to have won a world cup yet I felt that their present team was one which had been well prepared and had Baggio; whom I was more than hopeful would be in the starting lineup.
Italy had the advantage in games won Vs France yet again this meant very little specially since it had been so long since they had last played. I for my part, feeling that this would be a difficult game which Italy should win yet I could see where if France won they would go on to win the world cup. As in all reality neither Brazil nor Germany were producing the quality football they had in the past. France also having a team which was also very physically and mentally strong. This not meaning that Italy was not strong in both these departments as well but France did seem to have that advantage of playing at home and having something to proof to not only the world but their fans at home.
Italy however I also felt was strong and though perhaps not brilliant like they had been in Spain 82, did have it in them to win which made me; to a certain extent feel that this in a way was the final. As for my friend, Erico he too felt the emotions and the need to win this match with so much riding on it as to tell his girlfriend (at the time) that perhaps their were certain activities which they should perform with more intensity the day before the match just in case Italy lost the following day. It being an Italian victory which would allow him to perform such acts of desire with all the more passion while an Italian defeat would fill him with such sadness as to not even be able to contemplate such acts.
As had been the case in Italy's previous match against Norway, I decided to watch it at home and call my friend Erico when a goal was scored or during the breaks. The match was ready to start and tensions were high all around as in my mind, coming in outside the top four in a world cup for Italy (like Brazil, Argentina and Germany) is considered failure. Italy being one of the top four footballing nations in the world which demanded that their national team at least get to the semifinal with anything less being considered unacceptable. Always bearing in mind that for Italy to go in to the semifinal was also not considered a great world cup but at least some pride could be salvaged as had been the case in Argentina 78 or Italia 90 though the truth was that only being crowned world champion was ever really enough to satisfy the tifossi back home.
The game started with France clearly being the dominant team as their speed and power in the midfield simply seemed to be too much for Italy to handle or at least in the very early stage of the game. France going forward with the greatest of ease while Italy could do nothing but defend itself. Italy seemingly outclassed to the point that I did not recognize this as the Italian team which had won three games in a row with so much ease while I also failed to comprehend how France had grown so dominant. It being Zidane, Deschamps and Petite who were too much for Italy to handle as they seemed to have Italy bottled up in their own half of the field while they created plays which brought France closer and closer to their first goal.
Italy however despite clearly struggling were holding the French at bay. It being the French who controlled play and the ball but in spite of this had not really created what could be called a clear scoring chance with perhaps their best effort on goal being a spectacular bicycle kick attempted by Petit which forced a great save from Pagliuca. It being thanks to Italy's solid defense that they were able to keep order in their ranks and not crumble under the tremendous pace the French had started the game with. France also having a formidable defense which had but allowed one goal in their last four games yet in all due reality; had not faced a team with an offense of any real quality apart from Denmark.
Italy however held solid as Malidini had planned a good defensive strategy to control French attack which came early in the form of a Djorkaeff pass to Zidane which he stopped and got off a shot which Pagliuca barely managed to deflect for a corner. It being in the ensuing corner that Petit came close from what was more a back kick as I really started to wonder what was going on with Italy and why they were moving so slowly.
Maldini was playing very defensively which in an of itself was not a bad thing yet this strategy was not allowing Italy to use it offensive weapons like Del Piero and Cristian Vieri while it allowed France to take control of the midfield. This however was only for the first 15 minutes or so that France had such control yet Italy would create a nice chance when Moriero centered high to Vieri; whose header went just wide of the post.
Tension was everywhere or at least one could feel strong desires to win this game as both teams seemed to be playing a very physical game with France showing their strengths yet not with any real creativity like previous French teams had done but with a consistency of going constantly forward. It seeming as if this team had all the ingredients to control a match but not really the ingenuity to win it.
Italy also being strong yet in my opinion as well as many later on, playing not only too much on the defensive but not really taking advantage of their offensive possibilities. One of them coming when Vieri got a pass from Del Piero which he drilled in the hands of Bartez from a distance. It being Bartez who was well placed to stop a very hard shot indeed.
It was however after the first 20 minutes of the game that French pressure ceased as perhaps fatigue would not allow them to keep it up during the whole game yet Italy at least started creating spaces which even saw Vieri test Bartez one more time yet it was the French goalkeeper who managed to make a save with his foot. France however did dominate the first half yet if they out played Italy in quality that would be perhaps hard to say yet they were definitely livelier even if imagination was what they lacked to break Italy's defense.
The second half ended and to a large extent, I was glad that Italy was not losing yet like my friend, I did wonder why the ultra defensive strategy and if perhaps Italy should bring in Del Piero. As for the match, it was not a particularly good one from either team yet both Italy and France seemed to want to win which made for a fast paced match yet not necessarily one of quality.
The second half got under way and it was by than that Italy at least no longer found themselves bottled up in their own half yet still opportunities were far and few. It being mostly France who had the ball yet seemed not to know what to do with it when they did have it while Italy lacked that man who could coordinate their attack from the midfield. This due to Dino Baggio's not really having a good game.
As for the second half, it was not overly exciting yet this was a semifinal match which at least made every play take on greater importance. France perhaps feeling the need to attack more due to playing at home while Italy was gaining in confidence and going forward more yet this could have been more due to French fatigue than Italian inspiration.
It was also in the second half that Baggio was finally allowed to enter the game in place of Del Piero; who had not really had a good game and perhaps should have been replaced much earlier. I must admit that I did view Baggio's coming on in the game as being a sign that Italy could turn this game around yet I also could see where perhaps he was being sent in too late. Italy needing somebody to add a creative touch to the game which could have been none other than Baggio yet the game was very stagnant with both teams being so balanced that it was hard to say what would happen.
The match ended at 0-0 and it is needless to say that there would be overtime much like there had been against Brazil four years earlier in the final yet on this occasion; it would be sudden death overtime as was the case in the NHL. First goal would end the game in favor of the team that scored it which would make this very tense indeed. One moment of inspiration or one error and four years of preparation for this moment would either pay-off for somebody or be wasted. As always I called my friend to confer yet tensions were such that suffering had taken a toll on our nervous as to make us with all emotion look on with fear and passion as every play unfolded.
Baggio did give Italy a new hope and a fresh spirit which could be seen in the way he opened up the right side of the field which had been closed as Albertini started getting more involved in the game. How much we wanted this game that all we did was push for that one chance that it would all end which it almost did. Baggio getting on to the end of an Albetini lob which he just put wide of Bartez's goal which would have fallen had he just managed to get it on target. Baggio's effort being great just to get the ball so close as it was not an easy play yet the great ones can make something from nothing and Baggio had just about made everything possible for that split second yet his shot went wide.
So close had we been to winning and moving on to the semifinal that I can imagine that Baggio would have probably been remembered as the greatest player of France 98 had he scored on that play. This after coming in as a substitute in the second half yet it was not to be. It making me almost jump out of my seat as nervous were such that all that was needed was one single goal and it would all be over. This being a new sensation for me in football where sudden death overtimes had never been a part of the game or at least not till that particular world cup.
As for the game it had opened up in a strange way. This as Italy and France went back and forward without the midfield being much of factor yet despite this scoring chances were still not coming with more abundance on either side. Italy however had gained some control of their zone and were not being pressed so much yet were able to do little on offense even with Baggio's moments of inspiration.
The second half of overtime came and the dead lock continued with penalties seeming more of a possibility and looming over Italy's head that they might loose in such a fashion for the third time in as many world cups. Tension was every where just because it was a world cup game. This making every time either team went past the midfield a moment of suspense even if they did not get close to scoring.
I can imagine how my friend was suffering as I was yet all came close to tragedy when a pass went to Djarkaeff in the penalty box, who found himself all alone on the right side of Italy's goal. It being a slight moment of hesitation on Pagliuca's part on weather to stay in his goal or come out yet did manage to get to the right place in time to prevent a shot on goal. This as Pagliuca's body barely managed to close out the angle in what to a certain extent was France's best chance at scoring in the entire game. The play seeming like something out of a film as in one point, it was a divided ball between Pagliuca and Djarkaeff with both seeming to be running to it in slow motion while fans on both sides held their breaths. It being Djarkaeff who got their just a second before yet Pagliuca just managed to cover.
What a moment of drama yet that was it. End of the match and penalties. Of course, I was still hopeful Italy could win it yet that like many things; was far from being a sure thing. France, for their part had lost in penalties to Germany in 82 yet they had beaten Brazil in 86 thanks to penalties. Who would be chosen to kick for Italy. Which goalkeeper would be up to the task of saving or which player would break down and miss. France started and it was Zidane who scored.
I for my part, feeling that the real pressure is on the kicker and never on the goalkeeper therefore I was more tense when Italy kicked than when France kicked. It being every French penalty which was really an opportunity for Italy to go ahead in this shot-out. All of which making me most tense when Baggio stepped up yet he scored and put his fingers on his lips after easily tucking away the ball in to the back of the French net. This as if in a gesture to tell people that no more need be said about the past.
Lizarazu for France than missed with a shot which Pagliuca did not have much trouble in saving. This as all Italian fans jumped out of their seats that perhaps this might be our day. Italy was ahead for the first time in a world cup penalty shot-out. All they had to do was score four consecutive penalties and they would be in the semifinal and probably in the final playing Brazil. Albertini next yet he misses to send all feelings of triumph back to desperate fears of losing. The score was still even yet Italy had been ahead if ever for such a brief moment but they had.
The next two kickers were solid and scored for both Italy and France as Costacurta and Vieri did their job for Italy while Trezeguet and Henry did likewise for France. It being a case of all scoring with all the calmness needed to take a penalty in the manner in which it was intended to be taken. Blanc than scoring for France to add to the tension as it left Di Biagio in a position that if he did not score; the game would be over.
More penalties I hoped and with all my concentration I focused that Di Biagio might score yet his shot hit off the French cross bar and bounced away. France had won and for Italy, it would be another four years of waiting while the French had probably won the world cup as chances were they would beat Croatia and have to face Brazil in the final though Holland was looking very strong. My feelings being that after having beaten Italy, this world cup would belong to France much as was the case with Spain in 2008 when they too beat Italy in penalties in the quarterfinals and went on to win the European Championship.
France had played the game which confirmed that they had it in them to be world champion while Italy had to a large extent squandered their chance to make it to another semifinal and their offensive weapons in the form of Vieri and Baggio. It being Maldini, who was very much criticized after the world cup yet not so much for losing in penalties but for playing so defensively as to allow France to control the game. Of course many felt that Maldini with his defensive reputation should never have gotten the job yet regardless of reasons he was replaced by Italy's legendary goalkeeper; Dino Zoff.
In conclusion, I would say that the Italy Vs France of France 98 was a match played at a great pace with strong wills to win on both sides yet it was far from being a brilliant game or even a memorable one. It being as Maldini pointed out that it was France who attacked more but did not create more scoring opportunities than Italy. France winning more due to keeping their nerves than anything great they might have produced on the field of play.
France however was first before such dreams could even be passed through our minds. As for France, they had played well in their first two matches but then again their rivals had been far from quality opponents. In their third match however France had beaten Denmark but one must take in to consideration that both these teams had already qualified to the next round; so it made little difference that they won.
France's next game in the round of 16 being against Paraguay, whom they beat by 1-0 yet it was not without having to play overtime that the French team won this game and with plenty of difficulties. Over all France was not a brilliant team but a solid one which was well trained, disciplined, young, motivated and above all; were playing at home. These being all the factors they needed to overcome their perhaps lack of greatness. As for individual players, it would also be fair to say that none of their players were amongst the best who had ever played the game yet they too like their team were solid and consistent. Zidane and Henry perhaps being their most outstanding individually yet neither one of them had had a particularly outstanding world cup up till that point. Zidane, in fact would be coming back to the French team after having missed France's last two games due to having been shown the red card in France's second game.
For what concerned France, they were in the quarterfinals and playing well but this was hardly a reason to think they were going to win the world cup. After all they had been in this position in previous world cups in which they did not even make it to the final such as was the case in Spain 82 and Mexico 86. France had even made it to the semifinal of the recent European Championship where they were defeated by the Czech Republic; who did not even qualify to France 98. All of which making me believe that this was a team which Italy could beat if they just did what they were capable of.
Another thing about France was that not only had they never made it to a final, they had also not even qualified to a world cup since 86 and with regards to their football history; all they had were two third places and one fourth. This while Italy had three world cup titles and been runner-up twice yet this was no guarantee that on this particular day Italy had to win.
As for the history between Italy and France, they as a matter of fact had met each other back in the first world cup held in France in 38. It being in that quarterfinals match played so many years ago that Italy defeated France by 3-1 to become the first team to eliminate the host nation. Italy's goals on that occasion being scored first by Colaussi just 9 minutes in to the match to give Italy a lead which would last till the 10th minute of the game when Heisserer tied up the score for the local team. Italy however being the power it was back in the 30s went on to win the game in the second half when the legendary Piola scored two goals to clinch Italy's second passage in to the semifinals in as many world cups.
Italy and France went on to play each other in Argentina 78 and again it was Italy who prevailed by 2-1 with Italy's goals in that particular match being scored by Zaccarelli and Rossi while Lacombe scored France's goal just 35 seconds in to the match. Italy and France would go on to meet just 8 years later in Mexico 86 in a match which France would win by 2-0 with goals by Platini and Stopyra. Italy's lose however in Mexico 86 to France did not upset me all that much. This given that Italy's team back then was not one with enough quality to have won a world cup yet I felt that their present team was one which had been well prepared and had Baggio; whom I was more than hopeful would be in the starting lineup.
Italy had the advantage in games won Vs France yet again this meant very little specially since it had been so long since they had last played. I for my part, feeling that this would be a difficult game which Italy should win yet I could see where if France won they would go on to win the world cup. As in all reality neither Brazil nor Germany were producing the quality football they had in the past. France also having a team which was also very physically and mentally strong. This not meaning that Italy was not strong in both these departments as well but France did seem to have that advantage of playing at home and having something to proof to not only the world but their fans at home.
Italy however I also felt was strong and though perhaps not brilliant like they had been in Spain 82, did have it in them to win which made me; to a certain extent feel that this in a way was the final. As for my friend, Erico he too felt the emotions and the need to win this match with so much riding on it as to tell his girlfriend (at the time) that perhaps their were certain activities which they should perform with more intensity the day before the match just in case Italy lost the following day. It being an Italian victory which would allow him to perform such acts of desire with all the more passion while an Italian defeat would fill him with such sadness as to not even be able to contemplate such acts.
As had been the case in Italy's previous match against Norway, I decided to watch it at home and call my friend Erico when a goal was scored or during the breaks. The match was ready to start and tensions were high all around as in my mind, coming in outside the top four in a world cup for Italy (like Brazil, Argentina and Germany) is considered failure. Italy being one of the top four footballing nations in the world which demanded that their national team at least get to the semifinal with anything less being considered unacceptable. Always bearing in mind that for Italy to go in to the semifinal was also not considered a great world cup but at least some pride could be salvaged as had been the case in Argentina 78 or Italia 90 though the truth was that only being crowned world champion was ever really enough to satisfy the tifossi back home.
The game started with France clearly being the dominant team as their speed and power in the midfield simply seemed to be too much for Italy to handle or at least in the very early stage of the game. France going forward with the greatest of ease while Italy could do nothing but defend itself. Italy seemingly outclassed to the point that I did not recognize this as the Italian team which had won three games in a row with so much ease while I also failed to comprehend how France had grown so dominant. It being Zidane, Deschamps and Petite who were too much for Italy to handle as they seemed to have Italy bottled up in their own half of the field while they created plays which brought France closer and closer to their first goal.
Italy however despite clearly struggling were holding the French at bay. It being the French who controlled play and the ball but in spite of this had not really created what could be called a clear scoring chance with perhaps their best effort on goal being a spectacular bicycle kick attempted by Petit which forced a great save from Pagliuca. It being thanks to Italy's solid defense that they were able to keep order in their ranks and not crumble under the tremendous pace the French had started the game with. France also having a formidable defense which had but allowed one goal in their last four games yet in all due reality; had not faced a team with an offense of any real quality apart from Denmark.
Italy however held solid as Malidini had planned a good defensive strategy to control French attack which came early in the form of a Djorkaeff pass to Zidane which he stopped and got off a shot which Pagliuca barely managed to deflect for a corner. It being in the ensuing corner that Petit came close from what was more a back kick as I really started to wonder what was going on with Italy and why they were moving so slowly.
Maldini was playing very defensively which in an of itself was not a bad thing yet this strategy was not allowing Italy to use it offensive weapons like Del Piero and Cristian Vieri while it allowed France to take control of the midfield. This however was only for the first 15 minutes or so that France had such control yet Italy would create a nice chance when Moriero centered high to Vieri; whose header went just wide of the post.
Tension was everywhere or at least one could feel strong desires to win this game as both teams seemed to be playing a very physical game with France showing their strengths yet not with any real creativity like previous French teams had done but with a consistency of going constantly forward. It seeming as if this team had all the ingredients to control a match but not really the ingenuity to win it.
Italy also being strong yet in my opinion as well as many later on, playing not only too much on the defensive but not really taking advantage of their offensive possibilities. One of them coming when Vieri got a pass from Del Piero which he drilled in the hands of Bartez from a distance. It being Bartez who was well placed to stop a very hard shot indeed.
It was however after the first 20 minutes of the game that French pressure ceased as perhaps fatigue would not allow them to keep it up during the whole game yet Italy at least started creating spaces which even saw Vieri test Bartez one more time yet it was the French goalkeeper who managed to make a save with his foot. France however did dominate the first half yet if they out played Italy in quality that would be perhaps hard to say yet they were definitely livelier even if imagination was what they lacked to break Italy's defense.
The second half ended and to a large extent, I was glad that Italy was not losing yet like my friend, I did wonder why the ultra defensive strategy and if perhaps Italy should bring in Del Piero. As for the match, it was not a particularly good one from either team yet both Italy and France seemed to want to win which made for a fast paced match yet not necessarily one of quality.
The second half got under way and it was by than that Italy at least no longer found themselves bottled up in their own half yet still opportunities were far and few. It being mostly France who had the ball yet seemed not to know what to do with it when they did have it while Italy lacked that man who could coordinate their attack from the midfield. This due to Dino Baggio's not really having a good game.
As for the second half, it was not overly exciting yet this was a semifinal match which at least made every play take on greater importance. France perhaps feeling the need to attack more due to playing at home while Italy was gaining in confidence and going forward more yet this could have been more due to French fatigue than Italian inspiration.
It was also in the second half that Baggio was finally allowed to enter the game in place of Del Piero; who had not really had a good game and perhaps should have been replaced much earlier. I must admit that I did view Baggio's coming on in the game as being a sign that Italy could turn this game around yet I also could see where perhaps he was being sent in too late. Italy needing somebody to add a creative touch to the game which could have been none other than Baggio yet the game was very stagnant with both teams being so balanced that it was hard to say what would happen.
The match ended at 0-0 and it is needless to say that there would be overtime much like there had been against Brazil four years earlier in the final yet on this occasion; it would be sudden death overtime as was the case in the NHL. First goal would end the game in favor of the team that scored it which would make this very tense indeed. One moment of inspiration or one error and four years of preparation for this moment would either pay-off for somebody or be wasted. As always I called my friend to confer yet tensions were such that suffering had taken a toll on our nervous as to make us with all emotion look on with fear and passion as every play unfolded.
Baggio did give Italy a new hope and a fresh spirit which could be seen in the way he opened up the right side of the field which had been closed as Albertini started getting more involved in the game. How much we wanted this game that all we did was push for that one chance that it would all end which it almost did. Baggio getting on to the end of an Albetini lob which he just put wide of Bartez's goal which would have fallen had he just managed to get it on target. Baggio's effort being great just to get the ball so close as it was not an easy play yet the great ones can make something from nothing and Baggio had just about made everything possible for that split second yet his shot went wide.
So close had we been to winning and moving on to the semifinal that I can imagine that Baggio would have probably been remembered as the greatest player of France 98 had he scored on that play. This after coming in as a substitute in the second half yet it was not to be. It making me almost jump out of my seat as nervous were such that all that was needed was one single goal and it would all be over. This being a new sensation for me in football where sudden death overtimes had never been a part of the game or at least not till that particular world cup.
As for the game it had opened up in a strange way. This as Italy and France went back and forward without the midfield being much of factor yet despite this scoring chances were still not coming with more abundance on either side. Italy however had gained some control of their zone and were not being pressed so much yet were able to do little on offense even with Baggio's moments of inspiration.
The second half of overtime came and the dead lock continued with penalties seeming more of a possibility and looming over Italy's head that they might loose in such a fashion for the third time in as many world cups. Tension was every where just because it was a world cup game. This making every time either team went past the midfield a moment of suspense even if they did not get close to scoring.
I can imagine how my friend was suffering as I was yet all came close to tragedy when a pass went to Djarkaeff in the penalty box, who found himself all alone on the right side of Italy's goal. It being a slight moment of hesitation on Pagliuca's part on weather to stay in his goal or come out yet did manage to get to the right place in time to prevent a shot on goal. This as Pagliuca's body barely managed to close out the angle in what to a certain extent was France's best chance at scoring in the entire game. The play seeming like something out of a film as in one point, it was a divided ball between Pagliuca and Djarkaeff with both seeming to be running to it in slow motion while fans on both sides held their breaths. It being Djarkaeff who got their just a second before yet Pagliuca just managed to cover.
What a moment of drama yet that was it. End of the match and penalties. Of course, I was still hopeful Italy could win it yet that like many things; was far from being a sure thing. France, for their part had lost in penalties to Germany in 82 yet they had beaten Brazil in 86 thanks to penalties. Who would be chosen to kick for Italy. Which goalkeeper would be up to the task of saving or which player would break down and miss. France started and it was Zidane who scored.
I for my part, feeling that the real pressure is on the kicker and never on the goalkeeper therefore I was more tense when Italy kicked than when France kicked. It being every French penalty which was really an opportunity for Italy to go ahead in this shot-out. All of which making me most tense when Baggio stepped up yet he scored and put his fingers on his lips after easily tucking away the ball in to the back of the French net. This as if in a gesture to tell people that no more need be said about the past.
Lizarazu for France than missed with a shot which Pagliuca did not have much trouble in saving. This as all Italian fans jumped out of their seats that perhaps this might be our day. Italy was ahead for the first time in a world cup penalty shot-out. All they had to do was score four consecutive penalties and they would be in the semifinal and probably in the final playing Brazil. Albertini next yet he misses to send all feelings of triumph back to desperate fears of losing. The score was still even yet Italy had been ahead if ever for such a brief moment but they had.
The next two kickers were solid and scored for both Italy and France as Costacurta and Vieri did their job for Italy while Trezeguet and Henry did likewise for France. It being a case of all scoring with all the calmness needed to take a penalty in the manner in which it was intended to be taken. Blanc than scoring for France to add to the tension as it left Di Biagio in a position that if he did not score; the game would be over.
More penalties I hoped and with all my concentration I focused that Di Biagio might score yet his shot hit off the French cross bar and bounced away. France had won and for Italy, it would be another four years of waiting while the French had probably won the world cup as chances were they would beat Croatia and have to face Brazil in the final though Holland was looking very strong. My feelings being that after having beaten Italy, this world cup would belong to France much as was the case with Spain in 2008 when they too beat Italy in penalties in the quarterfinals and went on to win the European Championship.
France had played the game which confirmed that they had it in them to be world champion while Italy had to a large extent squandered their chance to make it to another semifinal and their offensive weapons in the form of Vieri and Baggio. It being Maldini, who was very much criticized after the world cup yet not so much for losing in penalties but for playing so defensively as to allow France to control the game. Of course many felt that Maldini with his defensive reputation should never have gotten the job yet regardless of reasons he was replaced by Italy's legendary goalkeeper; Dino Zoff.
In conclusion, I would say that the Italy Vs France of France 98 was a match played at a great pace with strong wills to win on both sides yet it was far from being a brilliant game or even a memorable one. It being as Maldini pointed out that it was France who attacked more but did not create more scoring opportunities than Italy. France winning more due to keeping their nerves than anything great they might have produced on the field of play.
My name is Gianni Truvianni, author of many an article to be found on the internet along with the book "New York's Opera Society". My works also include the books "What Should Not Matter", "Love Your Sister" and several others which still remain unpublished though I am presently looking to change this.
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