Group matches at France 98 played on Friday, 26th June.
 Argentina vs  Croatia in Bordeaux (1:0).
 Colombia vs  England in Lens (0:2).
 Japan vs  Jamaica in Lyon (1:2).
 Romania vs  Tunisia in Saint-Denis (1:1).
Argentina are the only team to still have a clean sheet and
claimed top spot in Group H with a win against Croatia (1:0).
The first chance fell to Croatia in the second minute; a header from
Davor Suker, onto the roof of the net.
River Plate's Marcelo Gallardo was in the shop window from the start
and would surely have caught the eye of many coaches and scouts, but the only goal of the
game fell to Hector Pineda; who pushed on Ortegea's through ball into the area, with his
upper body, and struck the back of the net on his third stride.
Final Score:
Argentina 1 -
Croatia 0
Only a run out for these two teams but there would have been equal
roars in Tokyo and Kingston.
The Reggae Boyz won their first World Cup finals match with two goals
from Theodore Whitmore in the 39th and 54th minutes; while Nakayama volleyed in the first
ever World Cup finals goal for Japan, fifteen minutes before the end.
Final Score:
Japan 1
-
Jamaica 2
Glenn Hoddle finally started Michael Owen and David Beckham in the
game against Colombia.
The pair repaid his faith by giving England a two-goal lead to take
into the break.
Paul Scholes forced a save from Mondragon, in the second minute,
indicating what was about to come.
In the 19th minute, Le Saux missed a great chance to put England in
the driving seat, but England showed they had the Colombians in their hands.
Two minutes later, Michael Owen crossed into the area for Paul
Scholes. The half headed clearance from Bermudez fell down for Darren 'sicknote' Anderton
to thunder into the roof of net; just what the doctor ordered.
On the half-hour, David Beckham made it two; his free-kick floated
over the wall and dipped into the left side of the goal.
Half-time: (2:0).
Just like at the beginning of this match, Paul Scholes forced
Mondragon to pull out another save in the opening minutes of the second-half. Scholes
again with an half overhead kick minutes later; wide of the post.
Sol Campbell ran at the Colombian defence, with Michael Owen in
support. Mondragon was hard at work for ten minutes.
And then the script changed. Colombia tried to slow the game and
pounce through England as Michael Owen made a crucial tackle in England's penalty area.
"Keep that fucking ball everyone", cried Hoddle from the
sideline: "You're losing it. Keep it!"
When Steve McManaman came on for Paul Scholes, with fifteen minutes to
go, the tempo increased.
Michael Owen was finding out about World Cup football, as his shirt
was pulled at the collar. When he continued to outpace Bermudez, he was pushed to the
floor.
A series of magnificent saves from Mondragon kept the scorline
respectable.
Time to make up for the hand of God; here comes the Team of God.
England to play Argentina.
Final Score:
Colombia 0 -
England 2
Romanian football died the night the clowns dyed their hair
yellow.
Tunisia scored from a tenth minute Souayah penalty to leave the
Romanians with egg on their faces.
Half-time: (0:1).
Moldovan equalised for Romania, in the 71st minute, to bring some
respect back into the camp and a Second Round match against Croatia.
Final Score:
Romania 1 -
Tunisia 1
Group A
 Brazil,  Morocco,  Norway,  Scotland.
Group B
 Austria,  Cameroon,  Chile,  Italy.
Group C
 Denmark,  France,  Saudi Arabia,  South Africa.
Group D
 Bulgaria,  Nigeria,  Paraguay,  Spain.
Group E
 Belgium,  Holland,  Mexico,  South Korea.
Group F
 Germany,  Iran,  United States,  Yugoslavia.
Group G
Colombia, England, Romania, Tunisia.
Group H
Argentina, Croatia, Jamaica, Japan.
1998 World Cup Finals -
Knockout Stage.
Group Tables - Leading
Goalscorers.
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