France were building toward this moment for years. Aimé Jacquet's squad Black-Blanc-Beur, a symbol of France's diversity grew stronger with every match. Thuram's two goals against Croatia in the semifinal were the most dramatic turnaround of the tournament. Zidane, quiet in the group stage, was being saved for the moment that mattered most.

Something was wrong with Ronaldo before kickoff a seizure, convulsions in his hotel room. He was initially dropped, then reinstated. He walked through the match like a ghost. Zidane rose above it all two headers, both from corners, both unstoppable. Petit added a third in stoppage time. France 3, Brazil 0. The Champs-Élysées erupted. A nation that had been divided found unity in eleven men.

France hosted with a squad that reflected its multiethnic society: Zidane with Algerian parents, Thuram from Guadeloupe, Desailly from Ghana, Djorkaeff of Armenian-Polish descent. The squad was nicknamed Black-Blanc-Beur. Brazil, the defending champions with Ronaldo at his peak, were heavy favourites. Croatia would enter only their second tournament as an independent nation.

France was wrestling with anxieties about national identity, immigration, and the far right's rise in politics. The euro currency launch was six months away. The Lewinsky scandal dominated American headlines. The world was three years from September 11th and did not know it.

Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux, Lens, Toulouse, Saint-Denis, Nantes, Saint-Étienne, and Montpellier hosted matches. Saint-Denis, a working-class banlieue north of Paris, became the tournament's centre with the new Stade de France. Lens, a former mining town in northern France, provided one of the most passionate atmospheres. Teams were based across the country, many at dedicated training centres built for French football's professional clubs.

The tournament generated an estimated €1.5 billion in economic activity. Saint-Denis was transformed by the Stade de France, which became a catalyst for urban regeneration in the northern suburbs. Transport links, including new metro extensions, improved connectivity between Paris and its surrounding communities. France's victory amplified the economic and social impact, driving tourism and national confidence. The multiethnic squad's success briefly united a politically divided nation around a shared celebration.

Zinedine Zidane scored two headers in the final to crown himself the world's best player. Ronaldo entered the final as the tournament's most explosive attacker, then delivered a ghostly, absent performance after his pre-match seizure. Davor Šuker scored six goals with his magical left foot to win the Golden Boot. Michael Owen, 18, announced himself with a wonder goal against Argentina.

Owen's run against Argentina receiving the ball in his own half, accelerating past three defenders, and finishing with his right foot was the debut of a prodigy. Bergkamp's last-minute winner against Argentina chest, touch, finish with the outside of his right boot is the most beautiful goal in World Cup history for many Dutch fans. David Beckham's red card against Argentina made him England's villain overnight.