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

FIFA World Cup 1998:

• Managed by Manuel Lapuente, Mexico entered the tournament with aspirations of making an impact on the world stage.

• Mexico was drawn into Group E alongside the Netherlands, South Korea, and Belgium for the group stage matches.

• The tournament began with a disappointing 2-2 draw against South Korea in Mexico's opening match. Luis Hernández and Ricardo Peláez scored for Mexico in a match where they failed to secure a victory despite having a two-goal lead.

• In their second group match, Mexico faced the Netherlands and suffered a narrow 2-2 defeat. Luis Hernández and Alberto García Aspe found the net for Mexico, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Dutch.

• Mexico's final group stage match against Belgium ended in a 2-2 draw, with goals from Luis Hernández and Ramón Ramírez. Despite showing resilience to fight back from behind twice, Mexico finished third in their group and failed to progress to the knockout stage.

Legacy:

• Mexico's performance in the 1998 FIFA World Cup was met with mixed reactions. While they displayed moments of quality and resilience, their inability to secure victories in crucial matches ultimately led to their early elimination from the tournament.

• The experience gained from participating in the World Cup provided valuable lessons for Mexican football, highlighting areas for improvement and development within the national team setup.

• The disappointment of the 1998 World Cup served as motivation for Mexico to strive for better performances in future tournaments and to continue their quest for success on the international stage.

Overall, while Mexico's campaign in the 1998 FIFA World Cup ended prematurely, their participation in the tournament was an important chapter in the country's footballing history, contributing to the ongoing evolution of the sport in Mexico.