2018 FIFA World Cup Final
Summary of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final between France and Croatia at Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, covering key events, significance, teams' routes and notable records.
Overview
The 2018 FIFA World Cup Final decided the champion of the 2018 tournament, the 21st edition of the FIFA World Cup. The match took place at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on 15 July 2018, and was contested by France and Croatia. France won 4–2 to claim their second World Cup title. The game featured a mix of tactical discipline, individual moments of skill and several unusual incidents that shaped the outcome.
Image gallery
10 Images
Match summary and key moments
Early in the match Croatia took the lead in an unexpected way when a cross resulted in an own goal credited to Mario Mandžukić, marking the first own goal ever recorded in a World Cup final. France later equalised and went ahead after a penalty decision that was awarded following a handball in the Croatian area; the penalty was converted by France. Croatia fought back with a well-taken goal from their attacking midfielder, but France extended their lead with strikes from Paul Pogba and the young forward Kylian Mbappé. Late in the match Croatia reduced the deficit after capitalising on a French mistake, but the comeback fell short and the final score remained 4–2 in France's favour.
Teams' paths and context
France reached the final after progressing through the group stage and a knockout phase in which they defeated strong opponents, including a semi-final victory that showcased their balance of defence and pace in attack. Croatia's route was notable for its resilience: they moved past established teams often after tightly contested matches and penalty shoot-outs, and the run to the final was the country's best ever World Cup performance. Both teams displayed contrasting styles—France combining a organised defensive base with rapid forwards, and Croatia building play through a technically gifted midfield.
Significance and records
The result gave France its second World Cup title, the first since 1998. The match produced several notable firsts and records: it featured the first own goal in a World Cup final and highlighted the emergence of a new generation of stars, with France's young attackers receiving widespread attention. The final also cemented the reputations of established players from both sides—Croatia's midfield playmaker received acclaim for his tournament-long performances, while France's coach and captain added to their international honours in different capacities.
Aftermath and legacy
Beyond the immediate celebrations and disappointment, the final influenced discussions about tactics, the role of video-assisted refereeing in major matches and the global standing of national teams. The winners would have been eligible for the subsequent FIFA Confederations Cup had that competition continued; the Confederations Cup was later discontinued. The 2018 final is remembered both for its entertaining six-goal spectacle and for several individual moments—an own goal, a match-deciding penalty, and a late consolation—that combined to create a memorable World Cup climax.
Further reading and resources
Questions and answers
Q: What tournament was the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final a part of?
A: The 2018 FIFA World Cup Final was the last match to determine the winner of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, which is a tournament played by men's national football teams and organised by FIFA.
Q: Where did the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final take place?
A: The match was played at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia, on 15 July 2018.
Q: Who were the two teams competing in this final?
A: The two teams competing in this final were France and Croatia.
Q: What was the result of this match?
A: France won the match 4–2.
Q: Was there an own goal scored during this match?
A: Yes, Mario Mandžukić's own goal at 19th minute was the first World Cup final to have an own goal.
Q: What would have been awarded to the winners of this tournament prior to its abolishment?
A: Prior to its abolishment, winning this tournament would have qualified for them for 2021 FIFA Confederations Cup.
Related articles
Author
AlegsaOnline.com 2018 FIFA World Cup Final Leandro Alegsa
URL: https://en.alegsaonline.com/art/112620
Sources
- fifa.com : "France v Croatia – Man of the Match"
- resources.fifa.com : "Match report – Final – France v Croatia"
- resources.fifa.com : "Start list – Final – France v Croatia"
- resources.fifa.com : "FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 – Match Schedule"
- goal.com : "Mandzukic makes World Cup history with own goal against France in Russia 2018 final"
- resources.fifa.com : "Tactical Line-up – Final – France v Croatia"
- resources.fifa.com : "Regulations – 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia"
- resources.fifa.com : "Match report: Half-time – Final – France v Croatia"