Zinedine Zidane scored directly from a free kick to help the team take the lead.
Gaizka Mendieta converted a penalty to help Spain equalize.
However, Patrick Vieira assisted Youri Djorkaeff to score another goal for France. In the end, France defeated Spain 2–1.
At that moment, Pep Guardiola broke down in tears.
When reporters interviewed Guardiola, he said painfully: "Zidane is the best midfielder in the world—maybe even the best player in the world."
"I actually understood Kai's hint, but I didn't want to believe it. If possible, I hope Spain never has to face France again. They're just too damn strong."
This wave of "prophecies" pushed Kai's popularity to another level.
Even Zinedine Zidane said in a post-match interview: "It's not easy to beat Spain. They have many great players. But thanks to our efforts—and thanks to Kai for believing in us!"
As soon as he said that, combined with the context, France instantly became Kai's "favorite" to win the tournament.
After all, Kai had said Spain could win the title if they didn't face France—so once France knocked Spain out, it only made sense that France would go all the way.
June 28.
A heartbreaking day for Portuguese fans.
Nuno Gomes, Benfica's star striker who had been in excellent form, took advantage of a mistake by Didier Deschamps and scored a beautiful long-range goal. It was the first goal France conceded from open play in the entire tournament.
However, in the second half, Thierry Henry, the young French forward playing for Arsenal, fired a brilliant right-footed shot through two defenders to equalize.
In extra time, in the 115th minute, Sylvain Wiltord volleyed from a tight angle near the byline. The ball struck the arm of Portuguese defender Abel Xavier, and the referee awarded a penalty.
The Portuguese players completely lost it.
Nuno Gomes shoved referee Günter Benkö in the chest and was immediately sent off.
As Benkö reached for his cards, Xavier grabbed his arm, trying to stop the penalty from being given.
Future South Korea coach Paulo Bento even tried to snatch the red card from the referee.
Portuguese superstar Luís Figo angrily took off his jersey and walked off early in protest against the controversial decision.
In the end, Zinedine Zidane calmly converted the penalty.
France defeated Portugal with a golden goal.
This was also one of the rare times the golden goal rule truly played a decisive role.
The so-called golden goal rule meant that whoever scored first in extra time would immediately win.
The idea was to encourage attacking football and give fans the thrill of sudden death.
But in reality, it was a massive failure.
Because scoring first meant also risking conceding first—so teams became even more cautious.
Everyone feared conceding that first goal.
In the past, fans looked forward to the first goal. Even if their team conceded, they could still hope for a comeback.
That kind of comeback is what makes football truly thrilling.
After the failure of the golden goal rule, the short-lived silver goal rule was introduced.
Eventually, the current system—playing the full 30 minutes of extra time and going to penalties if still tied—became the standard.
This European Championship was also the stage where Portugal's golden generation rose to fame, filling fans with endless hope for the future.
Finally, July 2.
France faced Italy in the final.
In the first half, Italy capitalized on a tactical corner. Francesco Totti created a chance with a clever backheel, and Marco Delvecchio scored, bringing Italy within touching distance of the Delaunay Cup.
But in the 93rd minute, Sylvain Wiltord miraculously equalized.
In extra time, Robert Pires intercepted Fabio Cannavaro and sent in a cross. David Trezeguet—nicknamed one of the "Monaco Twins"—struck with a golden goal, becoming a hero in a single moment!
France lifted the Delaunay Cup.
This was a European Championship full of stars.
Nuno Gomes scored four goals, won the Silver Boot, and rose to become a world-class striker.
Italy's backup goalkeeper Francesco Toldo had a godlike performance, earning the nickname "Saint Toldo."
Future Italian coach Antonio Conte scored a stunning overhead kick against Türkiye.
In the champion French team, Thierry Henry and David Trezeguet both shined. Henry even won the Bronze Boot with three goals, cementing himself among the world's top forwards.
Although the Netherlands were eliminated in the semifinals, Patrick Kluivert scored five goals and won the Golden Boot.
Savo Milošević also scored five goals, sharing the Golden Boot, and won the Fair Play Award for protecting the referee during a match.
But his most incredible record was representing four different national teams in his career—something that gave Kai a huge idea.
Normally, a player can only represent one national team. Later, rules were adjusted to allow switching after eight years under certain conditions.
But there are exceptions.
For example, if your national team ceases to exist.
Or if the team you join was not previously registered with FIFA and only joins after you—making you an "original player" with the right to represent them.
In simple terms, if Kai chooses Portugal, he would basically lose the chance to represent China.
But… if the Chinese FA were dissolved and a new one established, then theoretically, Kai could switch seamlessly from Portugal to China.
Kai wants Chinese nationality, doesn't want to play for the national team, wants to bring pride to Chinese fans, wants to win a World Cup with Cristiano Ronaldo, and even wants the Chinese FA to be dissolved…
Sounds impossible.
But Milošević seems to have found the loophole.
This alone made Kai feel the tournament was worth it.
Of course, while new stars shone brightly, some veterans faded.
Gheorghe Hagi led Romania's golden generation into the knockout stage but also received the only red card of his career against Italy. He later retired from international football and fully retired a year later.
Peter Schmeichel suffered three losses in three games, conceding eight goals. It hit him hard—he even questioned whether he should retire immediately, doubting his ability to compete at the highest level.
Lothar Matthäus also fell into self-doubt after Germany's group-stage exit. His age exposed deeper issues within German football.
Led by Franz Beckenbauer, German football authorities began seriously discussing youth development reforms.
These reforms would eventually lay the foundation for Germany's 2014 World Cup triumph.
After the tournament, UEFA officially announced the Team of the Tournament.
Forwards: Thierry Henry and Patrick Kluivert.
Midfielders: Zinedine Zidane, Edgar Davids, Patrick Vieira, and Luís Figo.
Defenders: Paolo Maldini, Fabio Cannavaro, Laurent Blanc, and Lilian Thuram.
Goalkeeper: Francesco Toldo.
This lineup also became a shopping list for top clubs across Europe after the tournament.
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