Laurent Blanc’s golden goal that sent France through against Paraguay in 1998 | OneFootball

The last-16 tie at Bollaert in 1998, France 1-0 Paraguay, is remembered for ferocious heat, extreme tension and a golden goal that felt like deliverance. According to L'Équipe, Thierry Gilardi’s call became part of the match’s legend.

France had expected Spain or Nigeria, so José Luis Chilavert’s Paraguay seemed a kinder draw. Zinédine Zidane was suspended, so Aimé Jacquet started Youri Djorkaeff as playmaker, with Bernard Diomède also in from the off and Robert Pirès among the options.

France pressed, Thierry Henry hit the post and the shot count soared, though statistics differed wildly. Chilavert was inspired, anxiety grew and legs faded. Henry hurt an ankle, Emmanuel Petit later said he had never been so drained, and Didier Deschamps cramped after an hour.

In extra time, Laurent Blanc chose to push on. He has recalled that Paraguay were only defending by then, and that Lilian Thuram and Marcel Desailly urged him to stay back, but he went anyway.

In the 114th minute, Pirès crossed, David Trezeguet cushioned a superb header and Blanc half-volleyed in with his right, the golden goal, 1-0, bedlam. Gilardi declared that the light had come from Laurent Blanc. Years on, Blanc has said scoring for France is uncommon, in a World Cup rarer still, and a last-16 golden goal rarer yet, as another France-Paraguay last-16 meeting looms on Saturday in Philadelphia with similar conditions forecast.

Source: L'Équipe