Fabien Barthez - Goal- keeper: 4 1/2. Least busy man at the Stade de France but even then still looked dodgy when going for and missing a Roberto Carlos long throw.

Lilian Thuram - Right back: 8. Best player on pitch and probably in the World Cup, impeccable both in defence and when going forward. Cramped Roberto Carlos' style somewhat.

MARCEL DESAILLY - Central defence: 6 1/2. The granite rock face at the heart of the French defence but spoiled an excellent display with a stupid slide into Cafu which earned him a deserved sending-off.

FRANK LEBOEUF - Central de- fence: 6 1/2. Difficult to come into a team in these circumstances but he did nothing wrong and much right.

BIXENTE LIZARAZU - Left back: 7. Another key to the French success story. Cramped Cafu's style, too.

CHRISTIAN KAREMBEU - Right midfield: 5. Made useful, largely defensive contribution until substituted by Boghossian.

EMMANUEL PETIT - Central midfield: 6. Another key to French success, quantity not quality rounded off with third goal.

DIDIER DESCHAMPS - Central midfield: 6. More of the indispensable midfield covering and defensive work.

ZINEDINE ZIDANE - Left mid- field: 8. You cannot ask for more - scored two goals to win France's first World Cup title in front of an ecstatic home crowd.

YOURI DJORKAEFF - Attack: 8. Chose the final to have his best game of the tournament. Wise choice, probably contributed more than Zidane until substituted by Vieira in 76th minute.

STEPHANE GUIVARC'H - Attack: 4. In a different class to his team mates - an inferior one. Missed at least three sitters.

CHRISTOPHE DUGARRY - Attack: 5. Maintained the low standards of French strikers when coming on to replace Guivarc'h, only to miss a sitter.

ALAIN BOGHOSSIAN - Right midfield: 5 1/2. Came on to perform a holding operation and did it well.

PATRICK VIEIRA - Central midfield: 5.1/2. Did well in his 15 minutes of Warhol-style fame.