The 1998 FIFA World Cup in France was a significant tournament for the Argentina national football team. Here's an overview of their performance during the competition:

FIFA World Cup 1998:

• Managed by Daniel Passarella, Argentina entered the tournament with high expectations, boasting a talented squad featuring stars like Gabriel Batistuta, Ariel Ortega, and Diego Simeone.

• Argentina was drawn into Group H alongside Croatia, Jamaica, and Japan for the group stage matches.

• The tournament started positively for Argentina with a 1-0 victory over Japan in their opening match, with Gabriel Batistuta scoring the lone goal.

• In their second group match, Argentina faced Jamaica and secured a comfortable 5-0 victory, with Gabriel Batistuta netting a hat-trick and Ariel Ortega adding two goals.

• Argentina concluded the group stage with a 1-0 victory over Croatia, with Mauricio Pineda scoring the decisive goal.

• Advancing to the Round of 16, Argentina faced England in a highly anticipated match. Despite a valiant effort from both teams, the match ended in a 2-2 draw after extra time, with Argentina prevailing 4-3 on penalties. Gabriel Batistuta and Javier Zanetti scored for Argentina during regular time.

• In the quarterfinals, Argentina faced the Netherlands in another closely contested match that ended in a 2-1 victory for Argentina after extra time. Claudio López and Ariel Ortega scored the goals for Argentina.

• Argentina's journey in the tournament came to an end in the semifinals, where they suffered a 2-1 defeat to the Netherlands after extra time. Claudio López scored the only goal for Argentina.

Legacy:

• Argentina's performance in the 1998 FIFA World Cup showcased their resilience and determination, as they advanced to the semifinals despite facing tough opposition.

• The tournament provided valuable experience for Argentine players and highlighted areas for improvement within the national team setup.

• Although Argentina fell short of winning the World Cup, their journey in the tournament captured the hearts of football fans worldwide and contributed to the country's rich footballing legacy.

Overall, while Argentina's campaign in the 1998 FIFA World Cup ended in semifinals, their participation in the tournament was significant and left a lasting impression on the global footballing stage.