Thuram brace leads Les Bleus to the 1998 World Cup final

Croatia, which had previously impressively defeated Germany 3-0 in the quarter-finals, defied France to a 0-0 draw at half-time in the semi-finals and took the lead shortly after the restart through Suker. Defender Thuram scored the equalizer in direct response and became the match winner with his beautiful strike from the edge of the penalty area with a brace in the 70th minute. Hosts France saved the victory over time after Laurent Blanc was sent off with a red card in the 74th minute and reached the final of the home World Cup.