Despite the loss, Pagliuca became the first ever goalkeeper to save a penalty from a shootout in a World Cup final, denying Márcio Santos his shot.

[20] Under Cesare Maldini, Pagliuca would have taken part to the 1998 World Cup only as a back-up, but he earned the starting spot because of a last-minute injury to Peruzzi.

[15] He made one of the saves of the tournament, again against Norway, when he shot out a hand to prevent Tore André Flo's point-blank header from netting.

[21] However, Italy lost against host country France in the quarter-final after the penalty shootout, even though Pagliuca blocked Bixente Lizarazu's shot.

[25][26][27] An agile, consistent and athletic goalkeeper,[28][29] Pagliuca was renowned for his excellent reactions,[28][29] diving saves,[30] and penalty-stopping abilities,[10] as well as his control of the ball, accurate distribution, and deep goal kicks with his left foot.

[37] Nicknamed The Wall,[38][39] due to his goalkeeping abilities and consistency,[40] he also distinguished himself by his strong temper,[37][41] which occasionally had a negative impact on his performances, when he let his emotions get the better of him.

[42][43][44][45][46] Under coaches Sven-Göran Eriksson and Arrigo Sacchi, who relied on high defensive lines, Pagliuca used to play as a sweeper-keeper.