France claimed victory in the 2018 FIFA World Cup final, defeating Croatia 4-2 in a thrilling match held at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium on Sunday, 15 July. The triumph marked France’s second World Cup win, 20 years after their first victory in 1998. Antoine Griezmann opened the scoring for France with a penalty in the 18th minute, followed by goals from Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappé. Croatia’s Mario Mandžukić scored twice, once from a penalty, but it wasn’t enough to overcome France’s lead. Didier Deschamps became only the third man to win the World Cup as both a player and a manager, joining Brazil’s Mario Zagallo and Germany’s Franz Beckenbauer. The match was watched by a global audience of over one billion viewers, according to FIFA.
France Claims Victory in Tense World Cup Final
France claimed victory in a tense World Cup final, defeating Croatia 4-2 in Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium. The victory marked France’s second World Cup title, their first being in 1998. The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, with Croatia initially taking the lead before France’s relentless pressure paid off.
Antoine Griezmann scored France’s first goal from the penalty spot in the 18th minute, levelling the score at 1-1. France then took the lead in the 38th minute through a VAR-awarded penalty, converted by Griezmann once again. Paul Pogba extended France’s lead to 3-1 with a powerful strike in the 59th minute. Croatia managed to pull one back through Mario Mandzukic, but France’s Kylian Mbappé sealed the victory with a goal in the 65th minute.
Croatia’s Domagoj Vida attempted to spark controversy with a post-match comment, saying, “This is our house,” but France’s players remained focused on their victory. France’s coach Didier Deschamps praised his team’s resilience, stating, “We showed great character today. We never gave up, and we deserved this victory.”
The victory was a testament to France’s strong squad, with players like Hugo Lloris, Samuel Umtiti, and N’Golo Kanté delivering standout performances throughout the tournament. France’s triumph ended a dominant World Cup campaign, with the team conceding only four goals in seven matches.
Les Bleus Defeat Croatia 4-2 in Dramatic Showdown
France claimed their second World Cup title in dramatic fashion, defeating Croatia 4-2 in a thrilling final at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium. The victory marked a triumphant return to the top of international football for Les Bleus, 20 years after their first World Cup win.
Kylian Mbappé, France’s 19-year-old prodigy, opened the scoring in the 18th minute, becoming the youngest player to score in a World Cup final since the legendary Pelé. Croatia equalised through Ivan Perišić’s close-range strike, but France retook the lead through Antoine Griezmann’s penalty in the 38th minute.
Mario Mandžukić inadvertently headed France’s third goal in the 65th minute, turning Griezmann’s corner into his own net. Mbappé sealed the victory with a powerful strike in the 68th minute, becoming only the second teenager to score twice in a World Cup final. Croatia’s Ivan Rakitić scored a late consolation goal, but it was too little, too late.
French President Emmanuel Macron was among the first to congratulate the team, tweeting: “Bravo les Bleus! What a victory! What a team! What a pride for France and all French people around the world!” The victory sent jubilant celebrations erupting across France, with thousands taking to the streets in Paris and other major cities.
Croatia, playing in their first-ever World Cup final, put up a valiant fight but were ultimately outclassed by France’s youthful energy and tactical prowess. France’s victory was a testament to their depth of talent and resilience, overcoming a tough semi-final against Belgium to claim the ultimate prize.
Mbappé and Griezmann Shine as France Lifts Trophy
France claimed their second World Cup title in a dramatic 4-2 victory over Croatia in the 2018 final. The match, held at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium, saw France’s Kylian Mbappé and Antoine Griezmann emerge as key figures in the triumph.
Mbappé, just 19 years old, became the first teenager to score in a World Cup final since the legendary Pelé in 1958. His stellar performance included a goal and an assist, earning him the Best Young Player award for the tournament. Griezmann, the captain, scored a penalty and provided crucial assists, solidifying his role as a leader on the pitch.
The French team dominated possession and created numerous scoring opportunities throughout the match. Their defensive line, led by Raphael Varane, held firm against Croatia’s relentless attacks. France’s victory marked their second World Cup win, following their 1998 triumph on home soil.
Croatia, playing in their first-ever World Cup final, put up a valiant fight but ultimately fell short. Despite a strong start and two goals, they were unable to contain France’s offensive prowess. The match was a testament to Croatia’s resilience, having advanced through the knockout stages with a series of dramatic victories.
French President Emmanuel Macron was among the spectators, celebrating the team’s victory. “This is a moment of pride for all of France,” he stated post-match. The win was celebrated nationwide, with fans taking to the streets in jubilation.
Croatia Fights Hard but Falls Short in First Final Appearance
France claimed their second World Cup title with a 4-2 victory over Croatia in Moscow. The match, played at Luzhniki Stadium, saw France’s Antoine Griezmann score a crucial penalty in the first half. France dominated possession, maintaining 59% of the ball throughout the match.
Croatia, making their first-ever World Cup final appearance, fought hard but ultimately fell short. The team, led by captain Luka Modrić, showed resilience despite facing a two-goal deficit early in the second half. Modrić, who won the Golden Ball award for best player of the tournament, acknowledged France’s superiority post-match.
France’s Kylian Mbappé, who scored one of the goals, was named Best Young Player of the Tournament. The 19-year-old became the first teenager to score in a World Cup final since Pelé in 1958. France’s coach, Didier Deschamps, who also captained France to their first World Cup win in 1998, praised his team’s performance.
Croatia’s coach, Zlatko Dalić, expressed pride in his team’s journey. “We have made history,” Dalić said. “This team has achieved something incredible, and I am proud of every single one of them.” Despite the loss, Croatia’s performance marked a significant milestone for the nation’s football history.
The match drew a global audience, with an estimated 1.12 billion viewers tuning in worldwide. France’s victory was celebrated across the country, with fans gathering in Paris and other cities to rejoice. The win solidified France’s place among the world’s top football nations.
World Cup 2018 Draws to a Close with Record-Breaking Viewership
The 2018 FIFA World Cup concluded on Sunday with France lifting the trophy after a thrilling 4-2 victory over Croatia in the final. The tournament, held in Russia, drew to a close with record-breaking viewership figures, as reported by FIFA.
An estimated 1.12 billion people worldwide tuned in to watch the final match, according to data provided by the international football governing body. This figure surpasses the previous record of 1.096 billion, set during the 2014 World Cup final between Germany and Argentina.
Throughout the tournament, 35 matches were played across 12 venues in as many host cities. A total of 169 goals were scored, with France’s Kylian Mbappé emerging as one of the standout performers, scoring four goals and providing one assist.
The 2018 World Cup also saw the introduction of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, which was used to review and potentially overturn decisions made by the on-field referees. FIFA President Gianni Infantino praised the system, stating that it had “greatly contributed to fairness and accuracy” during the tournament.
In addition to the final, the third-place playoff saw Belgium secure a 2-0 victory over England. The Red Devils finished the tournament with the highest goal tally, netting 16 times in seven matches.
The 2018 World Cup drew to a close with France being crowned champions for the second time in their history. The Les Bleus now join an elite group of nations to have won the tournament multiple times, alongside Brazil, Germany, Italy, and Argentina.
The victory marks France’s second World Cup title, following their 1998 triumph on home soil. The team’s blend of youth and experience proved decisive, with teenage sensation Kylian Mbappé and seasoned campaigner Antoine Griezmann leading the charge. The win extends France’s place among football’s elite and sets the stage for future competitions, with the 2022 World Cup in Qatar looming on the horizon. For now, the French squad returns home as heroes, celebrated by a nation united in sporting glory.
