FIFA World Cup 1998 Group C

world cup 1998 poster South Africa, readmitted to FIFA in 1992 after the end of apartheid, made their World Cup debut and were joined in Group C by the Asian Football Confederation qualifiers, Saudi Arabia, who had reached the finals for the first time in 1994. They were up against the hosts and a very strong Danish team and proved they were no pushovers. France, whose multi-racial team (known as Black, Blanc, Beur*) was held up as a model of French social integration (and attracted criticism from the far right as a result) finished with maximum points.

* A colloquial term for French born men of Arab descent.

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Denmark

Saudi Arabia

Denmark 1 Saudi Arabia 0

Stade Félix Bollaert, Lens (38,140)
12 June 1998

A goal by Marc Rieper was all that separated the sides.

France

South Africa

France 3 South Africa 0

Stade Vélodrome, Marseille (55,077)
12 June 1998

A late own goal by Issa and a killer goal in injury time eased France through their opening game after Dugarry put them ahead in the 34th minute.

South Africa

Denmark

South Africa 1 Denmark 1

Stade de la Toulouse, (33,300)
18 June 1998

South Africa came from behind to earn a very creditable draw.

France

Saudi Arabia

France 4 Saudi Arabia 0

Stade de France, Saint-Denis (80,000)
18 June 1998

France took the lead in the 36th minute through their rising star, Thierry Henry who added another in the 77th minute. David Trézéguet and Bixent Lizarazu also scored.

France

Denmark

France 2 Denmark 1

Stade Gerland, Lyons (39,100)
24 June 1998

Both teams scored from penalties in the first half, France's winner came in the 56th minute, Petit drilling the ball home from the edge of the area after it had pinballed around in the box. The Danes might have equalised when the French goalkeeper, Fabien Barthez fumbled a high free kick on the goal line but the ball bounced off the underside of the bar and back in to his hands. The result was sufficient for Denmark to join France in the next round.

South Africa

Saudi Arabia

South Africa 2 Saudi Arabia 2

Parc Lescure, Bordeaux (31,800)
24 June 1998

A big win could have taken South Africa through to the next round but they could only manage a draw. Saudi Arabia came from behind with two penalties and took the lead in the 74th minute. In the fourth minute of injury time, South Africa were awarded a penalty also, which Bartlett converted.