Wikipedia talk:Featured article candidates/1998 FIFA World Cup Final/archive1

The 1998 FIFA World Cup final was the final match of the 32-team 1998 FIFA World Cup, played on 12 July at the Stade de France in Paris, France, between defending champions Brazil and hosts France. Before the match, speculation surrounded the fitness of striker Ronaldo, who was at first left out of Brazil's starting line-up, only to be restored before kick-off. France took the lead shortly before the half-hour mark, when Zidane outjumped Leonardo to connect with a header from an in-swinging corner from the right taken by Emmanuel Petit. Zidane scored again, with another header from a corner, shortly before half-time to give France a 2–0 lead. Petit then added a third goal in second-half injury time, striking the ball low into the net following a pass by Patrick Vieira, to complete a 3–0 win for France, giving them their first World Cup title. Zidane was named the man of the match, while Ronaldo was awarded the Golden Ball as FIFA's outstanding player of the tournament.