South American nations at the FIFA World Cup end of extra time. In the ensuing penalty shoot-out that decided the game, Argentina won 4-3 after two English kicks were saved by their goalkeeper Carlos Roa. Paraguay lost to France. France only scored through Laurent Blanc in the 114th minute, during the second half of overtime (making it the first golden goal scored in a World Cup). Argentina in the quarter-final 1-2 lost Netherlands an 89th minute. Moments after Argentine playmaker Ariel Ortega was sent off for head-butting Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, evening the teams at 10 men a side, Dutch captain Frank de Boer launched a
1998 CONCACAF Gold Cup this time. Jamaica, getting ready for the 1998 World Cup, pulled the stunner of the first round. They did not originally qualify for the tournament, but Canada withdrew, granting them a spot. Jamaica then topped Group A over Brazil (they tied the South Americans 0–0). In the semi-finals, the United States beat Brazil, as Preki scored the lone goal and Kasey Keller preserved the clean sheet. The United States could not repeat that performance in front of a pro-Mexican final crowd in Los Angeles. Mexico won their third straight Gold Cup, 1–0, on a Luis Hernández goal. (1) Canada withdrew