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Hosts France have finished 3rd twice at World Cups but have not qualified for the last two competitions. This is South Africa's first ever appearance in the finals.
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00:00As to the day since France last played a match as the host nation in a World Cup,
00:04the most vibrant and partisan stadium in the country
00:07stages the 1998 debut of Les Bleus
00:09and the first ever appearance at the finals of South Africa.
00:13The locals may be fiercely independent,
00:15but they're providing frenetic support for the French.
00:18Having failed to qualify for the last two World Cups,
00:21there's plenty of pent-up frustration just waiting to be unleashed.
00:24None of those involved have played in a match at the finals before.
00:27France have opted for Stéphane Givache to lead the line,
00:30with Arsenal's Manu Petit getting the nod ahead of Christian Karimba in midfield.
00:35The South Africans' main weapon is the Ajax striker Benny McCarthy,
00:39whose golden touch is matched by a golden tooth.
00:42Lucas Radaby of Leeds is the captain,
00:44and his one-time clubmate, Filma Singa, is the leading goalscorer.
00:48The referee, Mathieu Radenda de Freitas, comes from Belo Horizonte in Brazil.
01:01Well, the French have waited long enough for this moment.
01:04Now, as far as they're concerned, the World Cup is truly underway.
01:09And sharing the experience with me is one of the Marseille fans' greatest heroes.
01:13They called him Le Dribbler Fou, the crazy dribbler, and we know him as Chris Waddle.
01:20Thanks very much, John.
01:21Big test for South Africa in their first World Cup.
01:23Very tough baptism.
01:25It's going to be interesting to see how they can cope with the passion of the crowd,
01:29and obviously the passion of the French team, and what to do ever so well in the first 20 minutes.
01:37Yore Jorkaev is prime amongst those standing over the ball.
01:42He runs over it, and it's Givash!
01:49It was a thumping strike from the man who was the leading scorer in the French League.
01:54Yes, just simple free kick, touch to the side.
01:57Got a lot of pace with the wind behind him.
01:59Just flew a few yards away.
02:00Good strike of the ball.
02:02That'll give him a lot of confidence.
02:03As the French are looking for this lad to get the goals.
02:09Now it's Stéphane Givash.
02:13Zidane.
02:14Ori has made a run through the middle, and only Issa is back.
02:17But Issa was enough.
02:20That was great play by the French.
02:21It was a great ball into Zidane.
02:23I think he sent three or four of the defenders of Africa the wrong way.
02:27It was a great ball, and Henri was very, very unlucky.
02:29It was a good tackle by Issa.
02:32Fortune of Atletico Madrid.
02:35Willem Jackson.
02:37Missinga's made a powerful run.
02:42You get the impression that Desai and Kau at the back are not in too much difficulty.
02:46No, McCartney and Missinga haven't caused any problems whatsoever.
02:54Nayati.
02:57Mishwe.
03:06Forward for McCarthy, and Barthes is stranded.
03:11This is Missinga, but Barthes has had time to recover.
03:15And Lizarazu heads partially away.
03:20Awkward moment for the French, though.
03:22Not as awkward as they've experienced.
03:25Now on the counter, it's Djokaev.
03:28On for Givash.
03:30Fish is the defender.
03:31Who got part of the ball.
03:33Perhaps just enough of the ball.
03:36That was a good break, good counter-attack from the French, which they like to do.
03:40Here's Barthes, who got himself a lot of difficulty.
03:43Just hand-balled it inside the box.
03:48On by Issa and Givash.
03:55Well, if that had gone in, the assist would have had to have gone down to South African's Marseille defender,
04:02Pierre Issa, who clicked the ball on, unintentionally, albeit.
04:06Here's Fitton, and Givash just stretching, just couldn't get the direction he wanted on it, but that's the first real
04:11chance of the game.
04:13Air-raising moment.
04:16And France actually have a problem, because as that attack unfolded, Stephen Givash was receiving treatment just off the field.
04:26And Eme Jacquet is making one or two signals to those that remain out there, as if to say that
04:33Givash cannot continue.
04:35And so one of the home favourites, Christophe Dugarry of Marseille, is going to get his chance.
04:47Martez punching when coming a long way from his line.
04:55It's never been the most orthodox of goalkeepers.
04:57No, he's got a game plan of his own, I think.
05:01He's very quick on his feet, and he is an excellent goalkeeper.
05:17And then away by Desailly, to Zidane.
05:21Forward for Dugarry, it's his first touch, and Vonk just managed to make the save without handling outside his area.
05:29It was a close run thing.
05:33Zidane.
05:35Deschamps.
05:38Djokaev to Turan.
05:41Dugarry and Henri waiting inside the penalty area.
05:44So too now is Djokaev.
05:46This is Didier Deschamps.
05:49And there's Henri!
05:53Sneaked in pretty well unseen, beyond the back post.
06:01That was great play by Didier Deschamps.
06:04Here he is, beats his man.
06:05Puts a lovely ball in, far post.
06:07And Henri again just couldn't get round it, too directed onto the goal.
06:12Plenty of encouraging signs for the French, despite the loss through injury of Givache.
06:23Dugarry, Zidane.
06:27Zidane.
06:30Deschamps.
06:35Zidane taking a little more responsibility on his own shoulders.
06:38Djokaev.
06:39Zidane for a second time.
06:41Lizarazu.
06:43Djokaev waiting in the centre for Zidane's cross, which is deflected.
06:56The wind getting up again.
06:58And that may well help, rather than hinder Zidane's corner.
07:03And it's in by Dugarry.
07:07The substitute on his home ground has put the French in front.
07:16It was just a matter of when Zidane would put sufficient curl and not too much distance on one of
07:22those corner kicks.
07:23And when he did, South Africa were all over the place.
07:26And Dugarry, in his 25th international, scores for France for only the third time.
07:32And suddenly the silence is broken around the Stade Velodrome.
07:37Yeah, it was third time looking on behalf of Zidane.
07:39Great delivery with pace.
07:41Dugarry just beats the goalkeeper to it.
07:44Bit of looking off the post, but the old count and he's delighted.
07:47Just a nice little glance.
07:49Got a look at the goalkeeper.
07:51Well, Dugarry scored the first French goal of Euro 96 for Aimé Jacquet.
07:56And now, on the wider stage, he's repeated the dose.
08:01And there is an eminent feeling of relief around this vast bowl of a stadium.
08:11Neyati.
08:13Only the time for this attack to unfold.
08:17Before we do get the half-time whistle.
08:31So, a final opportunity in this first period of play for South Africa to draw level.
08:37Can't give height available to them.
08:38Neyati's kick.
08:40And a header from Issa.
08:43Well, it seems to be a day for players that play their trade with Marseille.
08:49However, irregularly.
08:54Great ball in by Neyati.
08:56He's had an excellent first half.
08:58And Issa has found himself very unlucky there.
08:59He's just gone past the post.
09:01And that is half-time.
09:03And for all the huffing and puffing from France, and from the Mistral for that matter, they only lead through
09:10Christophe Dugarry's goal.
09:12And South Africa, in their first ever match at the World Cup Finals, are still very much in this game.
09:23No changes to either side during the half-time interval.
09:27France, playing from right to left.
09:31Also facing the worst of the elements.
09:34Deschamps.
09:36And Zidane de Petit.
09:41Joké fell over.
09:44Challenge with Issa.
09:46But there's no free kick.
09:49Brought clear by Jackson.
09:51Not for long.
09:52Deschamps.
09:54See how the ball's holding up in the wind.
09:57And this is Henri.
10:00And was that handball by Fish?
10:05Well, a corner has been given.
10:09Pierre Issa was one of those in trouble.
10:12But the initial thought was that the ball struck Mark Fish.
10:17In an area that might have interested the referee.
10:23That's Dugarry.
10:24It hit Issa.
10:26More half-hearted appeals for handball that time, which it most definitely wasn't.
10:29But the first time around, France might well have had a penalty kick.
10:38And then, Jackie.
10:40Do not feel too comfortable yet.
10:44Dugarry.
10:47Dugarry, it seemed to bounce off Fish.
10:49Nearly put through by Henri.
10:53Oh, Radeby's giving it away.
10:54The flag's up, though.
10:55It won't count.
10:58Dugarry will be brought back.
11:00For the offside.
11:04Yes, I think he's brought the play back as well.
11:06I think he's just booting Didier Deschamps because it was a very late challenge.
11:10Sloppy defending by South Africa.
11:11Here it is.
11:12Radeby.
11:13Good anticipation by Zidane.
11:15We're in 14.
11:15He was offside.
11:16It was a good decision.
11:17But it was a great finish.
11:18Outside the right foot.
11:20In 14.
11:20It doesn't count.
11:25Another more vocal encouragement now for Les Bleus.
11:28And this is Djokaev.
11:30Can the team respond?
11:31What would they give for a second goal?
11:36Deschamps.
11:37Lizarazu.
11:38Zidane.
11:39Lizarazu hadn't made the run initially, but he did get there.
11:42And Jackson turns it behind.
11:45Good football again.
11:46Deschamps taking a big part in it.
11:48Basically, Zidane lays it.
11:50Deschamps into the by-lane.
11:52Good early cross with a lot of pace on it.
11:54There it is.
11:55Very hard to deal with what a defender.
11:57Zidane with the kick.
12:01Kick on.
12:02But eventually by Djokaev.
12:05Who has brought down Mayati.
12:21Missinga.
12:22And here's McCarthy.
12:24Out comes Barthez.
12:27Just a sniff of a chance for a moment.
12:30Yes, it's the first time Missinga's won ahead of tonight.
12:32And McCarthy wasn't looking at the win.
12:33Carried through into Barthez.
12:36This is Djokaev.
12:39Good ball to Henry.
12:42Fish faces him.
12:44Henry's shot.
12:48Look skyward set a great deal.
12:53Yes.
12:54Against the wind.
12:56Lying back.
12:57Everything wrong about the shot.
13:01Vizarazu.
13:03Dugarin.
13:16Lying back.
13:19Vizarazu with the throw.
13:20Towards Dugarin.
13:21Now can he turn?
13:22He can't.
13:23But this is Djokaev.
13:25And it went in off Issa.
13:31Djokaev takes the acclaim.
13:33But the decisive touch came from the Marseille defender.
13:37And Pierre Issa's own goal.
13:40Seems likely to hand victory to the French.
13:44Yes.
13:45Long throw.
13:47Good strength there by Dugarin.
13:50Calm head.
13:52Good skill by Djokaev.
13:53Gets himself a yard.
13:55Very unlucky for the...
13:56But Issa sticks his foot out unfortunately.
13:59Goalkeeper diving the wrong way.
14:02The man born in South Africa of Lebanese parents but who has lived in France since the age of four.
14:08With a potentially decisive intervention.
14:14Unwitting.
14:15And for South Africa.
14:16Very unwelcome.
14:29Thierry Henry.
14:31South Africa tiring a little.
14:33Djokaev waiting.
14:36Should have been three.
14:43Great run by Henry.
14:44That is what he's all about.
14:46Henry.
14:46Pace.
14:47Very direct.
14:48Did everything right.
14:49Zsokaev just couldn't keep his shot down.
14:53Zsokaev warming up for France on the near touchline.
14:56This is Dugarin.
14:58Zidane.
15:03Searching ball.
15:05It's found Henry.
15:07Nayati caught a little.
15:08This is still Thierry Henry.
15:20Well the chances are coming thick and fast now.
15:22Yeah great skill.
15:23It'll start with a great ball by Zidane.
15:25He's coming onto his left foot which is probably as weak as Seydens again.
15:29He's shot well by the top.
15:30Great skill.
15:31He's very direct and very pacing.
15:38Lise Razu.
15:39This is neat.
15:41And really just what the French require at this late stage.
15:44Zidane.
15:46Looking for Lise Razu who's past Issa.
15:49And there's Trezeguet.
15:51Not quite.
15:52It was Nayati I think who got back.
15:56Dugarin.
15:58France have come very close on a number of occasions to a third.
16:01This is Zidane.
16:06Two defenders trying to put him off his stride.
16:11That's a corner.
16:13They really turn it around now.
16:14The French have actually missed.
16:15Which is sure what they are really capable of.
16:24Here's the corner to Deschamps.
16:27And it would I think have crept in but for the touch of Umkelele.
16:31What an excellent corner that was.
16:35No ball by Dugueri.
16:38Sam did everything right.
16:39Kept it low.
16:43He was stationed adjacent to the post.
16:46Umkelele did the job.
16:48And it's a dissimilar corner now.
16:50That is Henry.
16:54Oh all the way through.
16:56Thierry Henry.
16:57And Issa again on the goal line.
17:00This time it won't be an own goal.
17:02It will be credited to Thierry Henry.
17:05And now there's absolutely no doubt at all.
17:10But France have placed their opening marker.
17:12On the 1998 World Cup.
17:16At times it's been tortuous.
17:18But now their opening game is triumphant.
17:21Through Thierry Henry.
17:23And it is 3-0.
17:24For the Marseillais to acclaim.
17:27Henry last 25 minutes has been outstanding.
17:30Here he is.
17:31He picks it up.
17:33The defence comes pushing out.
17:35Knutmegs Jackson.
17:36And his pace is chucking there.
17:38Well before the goalkeeper.
17:39And unfortunately that man is the one on the line trying to clear it.
17:42But we all know great skill.
17:44Great change of speed.
17:46And look at the finish.
17:47He just lifts it over the diving goalkeeper.
17:49And unfortunately for Issa.
17:50He's the one who's trying to keep it out.
17:52But we will give this to Henry.
17:56So perhaps a more accurate reflection of the balance of play now.
18:02As the third minute of stoppage time unfolds.
18:07Uncalele.
18:10Desailly.
18:13They have to be frantically trying to get back.
18:15This is Zidane.
18:17I think it's considering a trick or two.
18:22Obviously the Marseille boy only wants to entertain the public.
18:25Because they do like getting entertained in the stadium.
18:28Bartlett.
18:30Deshaun.
18:313-0 a fair score Chris.
18:33Yeah I think they've thoroughly deserved it.
18:35I think they've controlled the whole game.
18:38And they've missed three or four other chances.
18:40I can't remember South Africa really having a chance.
18:43To put anything past Bartlett.
18:45So they've thoroughly deserved it.
18:46The Brazilian referee signals the end of the first installment of what the host nation hope will be their first
18:56ever totally triumphant campaign in a World Cup Finals.
19:00Because they've never won the competition.
19:02It's 60 years since they last staged it on their own turf.
19:05And they have made what's in the end was a reasonably impressive start.
19:10A comprehensive victory.
19:12Acclaimed by 60,000 or so in the Stade Velodrome.
19:16At times they were nervous.
19:18But by the end they were in complete control.
19:22And goals from Dugary.
19:23An own goal from Pierre Issa.
19:25Ironically a Marseille player himself.
19:27And then in stoppage time Thierry Henry.
19:30Make it France 3.
19:32South Africa 0.
19:34A tough debut in the World Cup Finals.
19:37For the South Africans.
19:39Maybe for them better times lie ahead.
19:41More immediately.
19:42The French will hope that the next four and a half weeks will bring better times for them.
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