Because everybody stopped defending and started attacking them. If they had done this in 98 and 2000, the result should have the one we saw this year, no team at all. Pires is a good player, but not unmissable, another thing is Zidane. Althought an inconstant player, can play 1 magnifecent match and do nothing during the next 10. That's why I consider Figo should have won the FIFA best player also in 2000. But you know how this works.
Cheers,
El_Matador