France, like its extraordinary defense and precise, elegant midfield, will always dominate the highlight reel of this World Cup. It’s easy to forget that les Bleus almost didn’t get a chance to play in their own final, thanks to a goalkeeper from a small South American country.
Jose Luis Chilavert’s bird-of-prey wingspan seemed to envelop the swallows darting toward him. Although he didn’t score in this tournament, he cast an even broader shadow because of his well-known ability to nail penalty kicks and free kicks. For 114 scoreless minutes in Paraguay’s second-round match against France in the intimate confines of Lens’ boxy stadium, the captain fortified his teammates to withstand attack after attack and made a few invigorating saves of his own. And then, after his hopes plummeted to earth like the shards of a clay pigeon, Chilavert gave this tournament one of its indelible moments.
Beaten by Laurent Blanc’s “golden goal,” Chilavert lay momentarily stunned. And then he did what leaders do. He picked himself up first. He walked to the man closest to him, prone and limp on the cool green turf. He tugged at his shoulder, he cuffed him gently on the head, he whispered a word or two. When the player stirred, as if awakening, Chilavert moved on to the next one. Come on, boys. Nothing to be ashamed of. Get up. Time to go home.