The goals against Croatia in 1998 that made France defender Lilian Thuram a World Cup icon

August 2024 · 1 minute read

France v Croatia in the 2018 World Cup final is live on talkSPORT at 16:00 on Sunday 15 July here.

It has been 20 years since Les Bleus were crowned champions of the world. Back then, they had one man to thank for getting them there.

Lilian Thuram: defender (1998, 2002 and 2006 World Cups)

A rock in the France teams that reached the 1998 and 2006 World Cup finals. So versatile that he played at right-back (he was a centre back by trade) at France ‘98 and didn’t put a foot wrong. Yet his defining moment for the hosts was a brace in a semi-final against Croatia that hauled France back from 1-0 down. In 142 caps, those two fine finishes were his only international goals.

The World Cup final between France and Croatia is live on talkSPORT at 16:00 (UK time) on Sunday 15 July

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