France 1998: England fall to Argentina but French hold their nerve to triumph in Paris final

After what for me was a disappointing finals in the hotbed of football achievement, the good 'ol US of A, 1998 saw the return of the showpiece event to European soil.

More pleasing though, was the return of England after an eight-year absence from the world stage.

And unfortunately, like the rest of this country, my expectations of a renaissance that would see Glenn Hoddle's team lift the World Cup trophy for the first time in 32 years, were vastly over-ambitious.

Sadly, so were hopes that this World Cup would be trouble-free, a reality which never materialised once English 'fans' had gone on the rampage in Marseille.

Followers of Germany were also accountable for the disturbances in the southern city, but a lingering memory for me will be the images of thugs clashing in the streets and poor French policemen suffering at their hands.

Fortunately, come the end of the tournament, the streets of the country would again be filled - but this time, by people rejoicing in a historic success for the gallant hosts.

Anyway, rewinding back to the tournament's opening encounter, an apparent mismatch between reigning champions Brazil and Scottish underdogs, anticipation had well and truly reached boiling point come the time of the first whistle.

Craig Brown's side turned in a brave performance and were ultimately a tad unlucky to slip to a 2-1 defeat, but in a group that also included both Norway and Morocco, progression was always a big ask.

They did at least return home with a point, claimed from a 1-1 draw with Norway in their second game, although that was as good as it would get.

Norway would eventually join Brazil in the last 16 after a late fightback saw them highlight the champions' vulnerability with a 2-1 success.

England, meanwhile, would make it through to the knock-out stage, albeit with a heartbreaking late defeat to Romania sandwiched in the middle of impressive wins.

Having waited for what seemed like an eternity for England's first game to come round, they eventually secured three points from a professional 2-0 beating of group whipping boys Tunisia.

Alan Shearer headed home the opener to settle their nerves just before the interval, although it would not be until the game's final minute that the win would be sealed by Paul Scholes' picture-book curler.

As England moved north to Toulouse, it was the turn of Hoddle's men to suffer at the wrong end of a 90th minute decider.

Having fallen behind to Viorel Moldovan's opening strike, Hoddle had thrown the precocious talent of Michael Owen on in a last-ditch attempt to save the game.

And the Liverpool youngster repaid his manager's faith with a scrappy goal on the turn with just seven minutes left on the clock.

My memories of the game after this are quite hazy (blame that sultry temptress Stella Artois), but I do vividly recollect everyone's favourite pundit Kevin Keegan stating that: "Only one team's going to win it from here and that's England".

Nice one, Kev.

As it was, Chelsea's Dan Petrescu turned out to be the hero, stealing in amidst some static English defending to poke the ball home at the near post.

He may not have been allowed back to Stamford Bridge had that goal consigned England to the exit door.

Hoddle's men had one chance left and they would take it - beating Colombia 2-0 in Lens with classic goals from Darren Anderton and David Beckham.

The Spurs playmaker smashed home a dipping half volley on 20 minutes, before a