Zidane's Headers: A World Cup Final Record

With two days to go until the FIFA World Cup 2026, FIFA's countdown series highlights a unique statistical story: Zinedine Zidane is the only player to have scored two headers in a World Cup final. The French midfielder achieved this feat during the 1998 final against Brazil at the Stade de France, nodding home two first-half corners to secure a 3-0 victory.

A Historic Performance

Zidane's first header came from a corner delivered by Emmanuel Petit, while the second was from a corner by Youri Djorkaeff from the opposite side. Both goals were scored within the first 20 minutes of the match, making Zidane the only player to net multiple headers in a single World Cup final. In fact, his two headed goals in that match outnumbered the total headers scored by France in their next three World Cup tournaments combined. During that span, Patrick Vieira scored the only French header, against Spain in the round of 16 of the 2006 World Cup.

Zidane's Aerial Ability

Although Zidane was more renowned for his exceptional footwork and playmaking, he was also proficient with his head. He scored headers against Czech Republic, Malta, and Switzerland during his career, and forced a spectacular save from Gianluigi Buffon with a header in the 2006 World Cup final. The only other player to register multiple headers in World Cup finals is Pelé, but the Brazilian legend achieved this across different editions: one header against Sweden in 1958 and another against Italy in 1970.

Legacy and Context

Zidane's performance in the 1998 final remains one of the most iconic in World Cup history, as France won its first title on home soil. The match, played on July 12, 1998, saw Brazil, the defending champions, fall to a dominant French side. Zidane's two headers were crucial in a game that also featured a late goal from Petit. The feat underscores Zidane's versatility and his ability to rise to the occasion on the biggest stage.