FRANCE : WORLD CUP HISTORY

France has experienced four memorable World Cups and one it would rather forget.

In 1958, behind the stellar passing of midfield general Raymond Kopa and the superb finishing skills of Just Fontaine (a World Cup record thirteen goals), the French reached the semifinals before succumbing to eventual champion Brazil.

Under the guidance of midfield maestro Michel Platini and a generation of talented stars, again they reached the Final Four in 1982 and 1986. They were robbed in a bittersweet semifinal elimination (via penalty kicks) by Germany, which should have had goalkeeper Toni Schumacher red-carded for punching Patrick Battison, in 1982. With the core of the team more than 30 years of age four years later, the French baked in the Mexican sun and settled for third place.

Combining a stellar backline, an outstanding midfield (including the best player in the world at that time, Zinedine Zidane) and an opportunistic attack, the French finally captured their coveted prize in 1998. The less said about 2002, the better. Tired from a long European season and with several key injuries, the French became the first defending champion not to win at least at match and score a goal in the next World Cup, going 0-2-1 in Korea.