Ranking France’s top 3 World Cup campaigns

A glorious record of iconic games and golden generations make up France’s World Cup story.

France missed a big chance to win their first World Cup when Michel Platini and his teammates lost the 1986 tournament’s semi-finals.

It was the second time the Blues had to settle for the World Cup’s bronze medal. Despite their star-studded squads, France weren’t able to qualify for the 1990 and 1994 tournaments.

But when they finally returned to World Cup in 1998, Les Blues were ready to take their crown as the world champions.

Let’s take a look at 3 World Cup campaigns that define France’s status as a European football powerhouse.

2006 World Cup: A devastating final

When France arrived at the 2006 tournament in Germany, their disappointing memories from the 2002 World Cup and 2004 Euros were still fresh.

The Blues weren’t among the favourites to claim the title, and their group-stage games didn’t show that either.

Switzerland and South Korea held France to two underwhelming draws before they reached the next round as the group runner-ups by beating Togo 2-0.

The Blues, however, managed to get better and better as the tournament went on. Franck Ribery, Patrick Vieira and Zinedine Zidane scored for the Blues as they smashed Spain 3-1 in the last-16 round.

Thierry Henry then converted an assist from Zidane to secure the Blues’ narrow win over Brazil in the quarter-finals.

The semi-final match against Portugal was similarly tough. But a penalty from Zidane was enough to send France to the World Cup final.

On July 9, France met Italy in a game that is widely regarded as one of the most thrilling World Cup finals in the competition’s history.

Zidane put France ahead with a stunning ‘Panenka’ penalty, but Italy bounced back through Marco Materazzi’s header in the 19th minute.

Both European giants found chances to score the match-winner throughout the two halves but weren’t able to convert them.

France came close to winning the game in the extra time, but their number one penalty taker had to leave the pitch in the 110th minute.

Following an insult from Materazzi, Zidane head-butted the Italy star in one of the World Cup’s craziest moments. The referee then dismissed Zidane with a straight red card, forcing France to play the final ten minutes with ten men.

France survived the remainder of the game without conceding. But a missed spot-kick from David Trezeguet in the penalties ruined their dreams of claiming the World Cup for the second time.

It was Zidane’s last international game, and it ended in the worst possible way.

2018 World Cup: An unstoppable team

The memories of the 2006 final were forgotten when France arrived in Russia to start their 15th World Cup campaign.

The Blues were well-equipped in all areas as they planned to bounce back from their defeat against Portugal in the 2016 Euros.

Didier Deschamps’ side defeated Australia and Peru before drawing 0-0 against Denmark in the group stage.

Having qualified as the group leaders, the Blues then faced Argentina in the last-16 round.

The thrilling game saw Argentina get ahead 2-1 at the beginning of the second half. But a fantastic volley from Benjamin Pavard brought the Blues back into the game.

Kylian Mbappe then scored twice to eliminate Lionel Messi and his teammates from the tournament.

Next up, France cruised past Uruguay to secure their spot in the semi-finals.

Belgium’s ‘Golden Generation’ were on a 24-match unbeaten run when they faced France in Saint Petersburg.

The Red Devils found several chances to score against their opponents. But impressive saves from Hugo Lloris prevented them from finding the back of the net.

Samuel Umtiti then converted a corner from Antoine Griezmann to send France to the final.

Unlike their prior games in the tournament, France started the final by immediately putting pressure on Croatia’s backline.

A thrilling first half saw France get ahead 2-1. The Blues then pulled off a dominant display in the second half as Paul Pogba and Mbappe added their names to the scoresheet.

France celebrated their second World Cup trophy at the Luzhniki Stadium, 20 years after winning their maiden title on home soil.

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1998 World Cup: France break the spell

France returned to the World Cup as hosts in 1998, ending an eight-year spell away from the tournament.

The likes of Zinedine Zidane, Lilian Thuram and Patrick Vieira had found their places in the national team. But France weren’t still considered among the top favourites to win the tournament.

The Blues, however, proved their doubters wrong with solid performances in the group stage.

Les Bleus smashed South Africa and Saudi Arabia with 3-0 and 4-0 wins, respectively. Aime Jacquet’s side then defeated Denmark 2-1 to reach the next round as the group leaders.

An unforgettable last-16 clash against Paraguay saw Laurent Blanc score a ‘Golden Goal’ for the Blues in the 114th minute. The 1-0 win sent France to the next stage, where they met Italy.

This game also went into extra time, but it was determined to be decided in the penalties.

Roberto Baggio, who had famously missed a penalty in the World Cup final four years before, converted Italy’s first spot-kick. But missed penalties from Demetrio Albertini and Luigi Di Biagio ended Italy’s dreams of reaching the final.

The World Cup final then saw France take on title defenders Brazil in Paris.

The game is remembered for Zidane’s incredible performance. The Juventus star first put France ahead with a precise header in the 27th minute before doubling their lead in a similar manner just before half-time.

Brazil pushed to get back into the game in the second half, but Ronaldo Nazario and co weren’t able to find the back of the net.

A late goal from Emmanuel Petit then made it 3-0 for the hosts in the 90th minute. The historic victory saw France end their long wait to lift the World Cup trophy, making them one of the sixth sides to do so on home soil.