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Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Hors Serie 25, June 1997
(Alan
Shearer, June 10, 1997, Le Tournoi, Brazil 1-England 0)
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The
Third and final matchday took place on June 10th with Brazil facing
England at Paris‘ Parc des Princes.
England
were unexpectedly in a position where they were already champions irrespective
of the other results.
Nevertheless,
both teams were eager to end the tournament on a positive note. Amazingly, only
England had thus far earned any wins and Brazil had to win as a matter of
pride.
England
were missing David Beckham who was suspended due to yellow card accumulation.
Hoddle
made other changes as well. Martin Keown was back in defense in place of Gary
Neville.
In
midfield, Scholes and Ince came in for Beckham and Batty.
While
in the attack, Sheringham started ahead of Ian Wright.
Brazil’s
only change was Flavio Conceição’s inclusion in midfield ahead of Mauro Silva (who was suspended).
England
made a positive start and were better in the first half hour.
Brazil
lost Denilson to injury as early as the 22nd minute and was replaced
by Djalminha.
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Photo
From: Calcio 2000, Issue 10, July 1998
(Brazil
squad, June 10, 1997, Le Tournoi, Brazil 1-England 0)
|
The
English themselves lost Keown to injury couple of minutes earlier and Gary
Neville replaced him.
Brazil
would push through and take the lead in the 61st minute; Romario
slipped the ball past Seaman after he was put through by Leonardo.
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Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 102, July 1997
(June
10, 1997, Le Tournoi, Brazil 1-England 0)
|
Hoddle
gambled on the double substitution of Robert Lee and Ian Wright (replacing
Scholes and Sheringham) with a quarter an hour left.
Ronaldo
had a relatively quiet evening as Brazil held on to the lead for and ended on a
high note despite not winning the Tournament and settling for second place.
Brazil
now set their sights on the Copa America within a weeks time and Zagallo had a
backbone that he could work with for the Copa.
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Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Hors Serie 25, June 1997
(June 10, 1997, Le Tournoi, Brazil 1-England 0) |
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Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 113, June 1998
(June
10, 1997, Le Tournoi, Brazil 1-England 0)
|
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Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 102, July 1997
(June
10, 1997, Le Tournoi, Brazil 1-England 0)
|
One
of the observers, Jamaica Manager, the Brazilian Rene Simoes, praised England
afterwards and noticed improvements in their possession game.
England
did however struggle in some phases with the likes of Le Saux and the double
strike force of Shearer and Sheringham not firing on all cylinders.
Phil
Neville remarked the difficulty in handling Brazil’s strikers. He said when you
stop Ronaldo from scoring, Romario steps up. He felt it was impossible to stop
one or the other simultaneously as they combine well together to place their
opponents in difficulty. He described them as the best strikers in the World.
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Photo
From: Goal, Issue 23, August 1997
(June
10, 1997, Le Tournoi, Brazil 1-England 0)
|
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Photo
From: Shoot, June 21, 1997
(June
10, 1997, Le Tournoi, Brazil 1-England 0)
|
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Photo
From: Shoot, June 21, 1997
(June
10, 1997, Le Tournoi, Brazil 1-England 0)
|
Hoddle
expressed happiness to have won this Tournament, but was even more satisfied
for their performances in general. He also stressed that qualification to the
World Cup remained the most important objective.
Zagallo
stated that the ‘Tournoi’ had been very important and beneficial, though they
would like to have won it
He
stressed that they had been undefeated and this match vs. England had met his
expectations in all the sectors of play.
He
stated that in space of a week his squad had modified its tactics and manner of
playing to perform even better.
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Photo
From: L'Annee du Football, 1997
(June
10, 1997, Le Tournoi, Brazil 1-England 0)
|
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Photo
From: L'Annee du Football, 1997
(England squad, June 10, 1997, Le Tournoi,
Brazil 1-England 0) |
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Photo
From: France Football, Issue 2674 bis, July 11, 1997
(Brazil squad, June 10, 1997, Le Tournoi, Brazil
1-England 0) |
On
the following day, June 11th at Paris‘ Parc des Princes, the
French hosts closed the Tournament vs. Italy.
Jacquet
once again made eight changes to his lineup (Thuram, Deschamps and Dugarry kept
their places) and opted for a 4-4-2 formation.
Fabien
Barthez was injured, therefore Lionel Charbonnier started in goal, making his
International debut for France.
In
defense, Leboeuf, Desailly and Lizarazu came in for N’Gotty, Blanc and Laigle.
Once
more Jacquet had preferred not to start with Zidane and Djorkaeff together, as
Zidane was back organizing the play instead of Djorkaeff.
Karembeu
was also fit and back in the side replacing Vieira, while Ba was back operating
as false winger on the right side (replacing Keller).
Florian
Maurice was back in the attack instead of Ouedec.
As
hosts, it was imperative for the French to earn a result from this match.
Desailly had remarked as much saying given France’s position, France had more
to lose than Italy.
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Photo
From: France Football, Issue 2670 bis, June 13, 1997
(June
11, 1997, Le Tournoi, France 2-Italy 2)
|
Jacquet
continuously stressed that he was experimenting and that the results were not
important at this stage, but to be ready in a year’s time.
He
nevertheless underlined the importance of this particular match by saying; “This will be our most important match of
the Tournament because a last place finish would leave us in disorder. We will
need to exert more pressure when we have possession and we will need to
concentrate and we will need to concentrate harder so as not to make silly
mistakes.”
The
Italians buoyed by the success of their display vs. Brazil made four changes.
In
defense, Alessandro Nesta came into the side replacing Panucci.
Di
Livio and Zola came back in the side replacing Dino Baggio and Albertini
(scheduled for an operation back home and thus unavailable).
Casiraghi
came back and replaced Vieri up front.
 |
Photo
From: Guerin Sportivo, Issue 1150 (Number 24), June 13-18, 1997
(June
11, 1997, Le Tournoi, France 2-Italy 2)
|
France
would take the lead in the 12th minute. Thuram’s long cross was
controlled by Zidane and volleyed to the top of the goal from a narrow angle.
France
would hold onto the lead into halftime. In the second half, Torrisi replaced
Costacurta in defense and ten minutes into the half, Panucci came in for the
disappointing Zola.
In
the 61st minute, Italy tied the match when Casiraghi headed in a
cross from Di Livio.
Minutes
later Jacquet replaced the struggling Karembeu with Vieira and also sent on
Djorkaeff for Maurice.
In
the 72nd minute, France took the lead when Djorkaef unleashed a
powerful unstoppable long distance shot.
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Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Hors Serie 25, June 1997
(June
11, 1997, Le Tournoi, France 2-Italy 2)
|
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Photo
From: World Soccer, September 1997
(June
11, 1997, Le Tournoi, France 2-Italy 2)
|
Cesare
Maldini decided to send on Vieri to replace Casiraghi at the top.
Just
as it seemed France were headed for a win, Italy were awarded a penalty kick in
the last minute after Thuram fouled Del Piero in the box.
Del
Piero stepped up to score his second penalty kick of the Tournament and third
goal overall (top scorer of the ‘Tournoi’).
 |
Photo
From: France Football, Issue 2670 bis, June 13, 1997
(June
11, 1997, Le Tournoi, France 2-Italy 2)
|
For
the French, Dugarry had a disappointing match and only Djorkaeff’s wonderful
strike was a point of satisfaction for France.
A
dejected France had failed to win. The only consolation was that at least they
did not finish dead last as they had a better goal difference than Italy.
In
the end, Jacquet once again stressed the fatigue of his squad. Lizarazu echoed
this and said the last ten minutes of the match were very grueling.
 |
Photo
From: Le Livre D'or du Football 1997, Author Gerard Ejnes
(June
11, 1997, Le Tournoi, France 2-Italy 2)
|
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Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Hors Serie 27, April 1998
(June
11, 1997, Le Tournoi, France 2-Italy 2)
|
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Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Hors Serie 27, April 1998
(June
11, 1997, Le Tournoi, France 2-Italy 2)
|
Despite
the disappointing end, Jacquet preferred to look at the bigger picture. He
stated, “Now we have 12 months to get it right”.
He
added, “The matches at this tournament were not a lot of help because we could
not develop as we wanted. Now we understand what we must do, the progress we
must make and the importance of what is at stake. Team spirit, a little luck
and our potential to rise to the occasion means we can achieve something very
special when the World Cup is here.”
Jacquet
also underlined how indispensable Zidane and Djorkaeff were to his plans.
Italians
were relieved as they had salvaged a draw from the jaws of defeat and in any
case they had improved since the dismal performance vs. England.
 |
Photo
From: France Football, Issue 2670 bis, June 13, 1997
(Aime
Jacquet, June 11, 1997, Le Tournoi, France 2-Italy 2)
|
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