World Cup: Top 5 Golden Glove winners

Fabien Barthez (France, 1998)

FUSSBALL: WM

FRANCE

98 Paris, 18.06.98

The final of the 1998 World Cup has become synonymous with Zinedine Zidane’s two headed goals in the first half, yet France might not have had their 3-0 victory over Brazil had it not been for goalkeeper Fabien Barthez, who was decisive both on the night and previously in the tournament.

Throughout the competition, the Monaco shot-stopper was at the peak of his powers. He would shut his opponents out on five occasions and conceded only two goals throughout the tournament, once from a Denmark penalty in the group stage and once again in the semi-finals against Croatia.

His performances first really came to the fore in the quarter-finals against Italy, when he helped France win via a penalty shootout, stopping a kick from Demetrio Albertini as Les Bleus won through 4-3.

In the final itself, he made a number of important saves early in the second half as Brazil threatened to respond after Zidane’s first-half double. France were reduced to 10 men as Marcel Desailly was sent off, yet in part thanks to Barthez’s influence, they were able to hold firm and add to their lead in the closing stages.

No Frenchman has played more World Cup finals matches than the eccentric former Manchester United and Marseille goalkeeper, who with 10 shutouts posts the record at finals tournaments along with England’s Peter Shilton.