Brazil finished as runners-up in the 1998 World Cup.
The final was played on 12 July 1998 at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, near Paris. France defeated Brazil 3–0, with Zinedine Zidane scoring twice from headers and Emmanuel Petit adding the third goal late in the match. The result gave France its first men’s World Cup title.
Brazil had entered the tournament as defending champions after winning the 1994 final against Italy. In 1998, they reached the final by beating Chile and Denmark before eliminating the Netherlands in a semi-final penalty shoot-out. Their defeat meant they became the tournament’s runners-up.
The final is also remembered for the uncertainty surrounding Ronaldo’s fitness. He was initially omitted from Brazil’s team sheet after suffering a seizure-like episode, then restored shortly before kick-off. France’s victory was especially notable because the hosts had missed the previous World Cup in 1994.