Wednesday 10 June 1998
Stade de France, Paris
And so our four-year wait ends here, in the world's newest footballing venue, the magnificent Stade de France in Saint-Denis, Paris. As is the custom, World Cup holders Brazil will get the tournament underway, as they take on a Scotland team who are back in the World Cup finals, having missed out on qualification for USA 94.
5 mins: 1-0
César Sampaio reacts first to Bebeto's corner, getting his head to the ball and giving Brazil the lead after only four minutes. The first goal of the 1998 World Cup.
38 mins: 1-1
Sampaio goes from hero to villain, as he shoves Kevin Gallacher in the box, and Spanish referee José García Aranda has no hesitation in awarding a penalty to Scotland. Brazilian goalkeeper Taffarel goes the right way, but John Collins coolly slots home for Scotland.
73 mins: 2-1
A lovely ball finds Cafu to the right of the Scotland area. Cafu attempts to poke the ball over the heads of Scotland goalkeeper Jim Leighton, who subsequently palms it into the path of defender Tommy Boyd. Unable to get out of the way, the ball rebounds off Boyd and towards the net, with Colin Hendry desperately flailing to keep the ball out, unsuccessfully.
Final Score: Brazil 2-1 Scotland. The defending champions are off the mark, whilst plucky Scotland have it all to do in their next encounter, against Norway in Bordeaux.
Oh my...you have a good memory! Twenty years ago! Looking forward to the next match! 🤪
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