FIFA World Cup 1998 Group A
Brazil, the reigning world champions were among the favourites for the 1998 tournament. Ronaldo, who had been in their 1994 squad but not played, was now considered the best player in the world. Morocco made a real impact and narrowly missed out on the knock out stage.
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1998 Overview | Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D | Group E | Group F | Group G | Group H | Knock Out Stages
Brazil
Scotland
Brazil 2 Scotland 1
Stade de France, Saint-Denis (80,000)
10 June 1998
Scotland came very close to holding the world champions to a draw in the opening match of the tournament. César Sampaio put Brazil into the lead in the 4th minute, heading home a corner at the near post. John Collins equalised with a penalty seven minutes before half-time. In the 73rd minute, Scotland's goalkeeper blocked a close range shot but the ball cannoned off the unfortunate Tom Boyd and into the net.
Morocco
Norway
Morocco 2 Norway 2
Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier (29,800)
10 June 1998
Morocco led at half-time after Hadji collected a through ball on the left before cutting inside and slotting ball home but a minute into the second half, Chippo scored an own goal, attempting to head the ball off the line. Hadda put the north Africans ahead again in the 59th minute but within a minute, Eggen equalised for the second time.
Scotland
Norway
Scotland 1 Norway 1
Parc Lescure, Bordeaux (31,800)
16 June 1998
A goal by Craig Burley in the 66th minute earned Scotland a draw.
Brazil
Morocco
Brazil 3 Morocco 0
Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes (35,500)
16 June 1998
Brazil cruised past Morocco and booked their place in the knock out phase.
Norway
Brazil
Norway 2 Brazil 1
Stade Vélodrome, Marseille (55,000)
23 June 1998
After 78 minutes without a goal, Bebeto finally put Brazil ahead but late goals from Tore André Flo and Rekdal gave Norway a sensational victory and put them one point ahead of Morocco in second place.
Morocco
Scotland
Morocco 3 Scotland 0
Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Étienne (30,600)
23 June 1998
Morocco put in an impressive performance and with two minutes to go, looked certain of going into the next round. Rekdal's late penalty in Marseille wrecked their hopes.