Top 10 greatest moments in France's football history

Les Blues have been one of the top footballing nation.

France’s national team, since their inception into the world of football, have always been in the limelight for both good and bad reasons. While Zidane’s infamous headbutt to Materazzi in the finals of the 2006 World Cup still sends chills down the spine, Les Bleus loyalists still experience a panic attack when they reminisce about their 2010 FIFA World Cup campaign in South Africa.

Despite infamously hitting the front pages of newspapers, we must never forget that Les Bleus have gifted football fans worldwide with some iconic and unforgettable moments in football history that cannot easily be replicated by any other nation. The same Zidane, who was heavily criticized by the French media, gave Les Bleus loyalists many moments worth cherishing for a lifetime, including the FIFA World Cup victory on their home soil in 1998.

In today’s feature, we dive deep into the top ten greatest moments in football history that made the French football team immortal in the hearts and souls of football fans all across the world.

Looking at the best moments of Les Bleus in their century-long footballing history

10. France Won the First-Ever Match of the FIFA World Cup

It was 1930 when Uruguay hosted the first-ever edition of the FIFA World Cup. The first-ever match of FIFA World Cup history was played between France and Mexico in Montevideo, and Les Bleus etched their name in the history books after defeating Mexico 4-1 in the first fixture of Group A.

In those days, there was no tradition of the host country featuring in the inaugural match of the World Cup. With just 19 minutes on the clock, Lucien Laurent netted the first-ever goal in World Cup history. Speaking to FIFA, Laurent said, “We were all amateurs in those days. When I scored the volley with my right foot, everyone was pleased, and nobody realized that history was being made.”

9. 3-3 Comeback After Going Down 2-0 in the ‘22 World Cup Finals

It was December 18, 2022, on the occasion of Qatari National Day at the Lusail Stadium, when the planet’s ultimate game was scheduled to take place between France and Argentina. In the first 45 minutes, it seemed Argentina had put their first hands on the trophy after goals from Messi and Di Maria gave a comfortable lead to Les Albiceleste.

But France scripted history after going two goals down, weaving a miraculous 2-2 comeback after 90 minutes. In extra time, Messi scored again, but Mbappe’s penalty in the 118th minute kept alive the French dream of winning the World Cup twice in two consecutive editions. However, the dream was shattered after Scaloni’s men got the better of Les Bleus, beating them 4-2 on penalties.

8. Beating Gibraltar 14-0

Exactly 11 months after that heartbreaking final in Qatar, France played against Gibraltar in their UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying campaign at Allianz Riviera in Nice. Nobody knew that this seemingly normal match would go down as the largest win in the history of Euro qualifiers.

Kylian Mbappe scored a hat trick, and Olivier Giroud and Kingsley Coman found the back of the net twice as Les Bleus marched to a convincing 14-0 victory over Gibraltar, bringing much joy and elation to nearly 33,000 spectators in the arena.

7. Last-Minute Equalizer & Extra-Time Winner in ‘00 Euros Finals

If you are an avid football fan, you must know the meaning of a golden goal, which describes the first goal scored in extra time that is also the winner. It was the finals of Euro 2000 when Les Bleus locked horns against Italy at De Kuip Arena in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Marco Delvecchio gave Italy an early lead in the 56th minute. As the clock struck 90 minutes, it seemed French hopes of repeating 1984 were shattered until Wiltord equalized in the 94th minute, taking the match to extra time. David Trezeguet then netted a golden goal, winning the Euros for Les Bleus.

6. Scoring in 37 Seconds at the Opening Game of ‘78 FIFA WC

France made it to the 1978 FIFA World Cup after missing out on the tournament for two consecutive editions. They were drawn against favorites Italy to play the inaugural match of the 1978 FIFA World Cup in Argentina.

Nobody on earth would have imagined in their wildest dreams that Les Bleus would draw first blood after a header from Lacombe saw them leading over Italy 1-0 in just 37 seconds since the start of the match. However, Rossi and Zaccarelli found the back of the net to win the opening fixture of the tournament.

5. Winning the 2018 FIFA WC

French gaffer Didier Deschamps dropped mega-star Karim Benzema from his 23-member squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and was heavily criticized for his decision. The Les Bleus exhibited a poor and dull performance after narrowly winning their ties against Australia and Peru and settling for a draw with the Danes.

But the French team shocked everyone after they went on to defeat Argentina 4-3, Uruguay 2-0, and Belgium 1-0 in the knockouts to reach the finals, where they got the better of Zlatko Dalic’s Croatia by winning the match 4-2 to clinch the FIFA World Cup trophy in Moscow.

4. Lifting Their First Major Trophy After Winning ‘84 Euros

Les Bleus, who played their first international fixture against Belgium in 1904, had yet to win a major competition in almost eight decades. The UEFA Euro 1984 was set to kick off on their home soil, and there was no better occasion to win their first-ever major continental trophy in front of their own compatriots.

The 47,000 spectators in the Parc des Princes stadium erupted into jubilation when Platini and Bellone found the back of the net to get the better of Spain in the finals and win their first major trophy in the 1984 Euros.

3. 30-Match Unbeaten Streak From ‘94 to ‘96

Let me narrate you a dramatic story. The French national team failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup in 1990 and 1994, which resulted in the sacking of their manager, Gerard Houllier. His assistant, Aime Jacquet, took charge on a temporary basis, and under his tenure, the French team went on to register a 30-match unbeaten streak that began with a 1-0 victory over Italy.

France’s dream unbeaten run came to a halt after Denmark got the better of Les Bleus in 1996. This unbeaten run spanned across three calendar years, and this impressive performance made Jacquet the manager on a permanent basis, who later went on to create history as France became the world champions in 1998.

2. Winning the ‘00 Euros

France entered Euro 2000 as the incumbent world champions. Many pundits feared that their overconfidence would lead to their collapse in the tournament. Drawn with Holland, Czechia, and Denmark, France finished second after the Dutch found the better of Les Bleus in an entertaining 3-2 clash in Belgium.

France had to face tougher opponents in the knockouts if they wished to achieve continental success. But they defied all odds, beating Spain 1-0 in the quarterfinals, Portugal 2-1 in the semifinals, and scripting that historic comeback against Italy in the finals of Euro 2000 to clinch their second EURO trophy.

1. Winning ‘98 WC on Home Soil

The 1938 FIFA World Cup was the third and final edition of the World Cup until 1950 when the next two editions were canceled due to World War II. France were given hosting rights, but the home team couldn’t even make it to the semifinals.

After exactly 60 years, France hosted the FIFA World Cup in 1998. This time, Didier Deschamps’s men created history by winning their first-ever World Cup trophy. France got the better of Paraguay in the Round of 16, Italy in the quarterfinals, and Croatia in the semifinals before defeating Brazil 3-0 in the finals at Stade de France to put their hands on the coveted World Cup trophy for the first time.

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