France won the Fifa World Cup for the second time by overcoming Croatia's bold challenge in a thrilling final in Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium.Didier Deschamps' side repeated the success on home soil at France '98 by a margin that hardly looked possible as Croatia stood toe-to-toe with the favourites for an hour.France's victory meant Deschamps, who captained them 20 years ago, became just the third man to win the competition as a player and coach.Croatia also felt their luck deserted them, but ultimately France ran out victorious to erase the memories of the loss to Portugal in the Euro 2016 final in Paris. In 1950, there was no final; the article is about the decisive match of the final group stage. Before 2018, France's only World Cup victory was in France won the match 4–2, having taken a 2–1 lead during the first half on an The Luzhniki Stadium, previously known as the Grand Arena of the Central Lenin Stadium until 1992, originally opened in 1956 as part of the The stadium has hosted numerous international sporting events. Media playback is not supported on this device Ivan Rakitic (Croatia) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. This was the first World Cup to utilise VAR - so it was perhaps inevitable it would play a major part in the final.The moment came just before half-time when France's players appealed instantly for a penalty when a corner struck Perisic's hand at the near post.Referee Pitana took what seemed an age to consult VAR - even having one last look to make sure after moving to turn away - before, to Croatia's horror and France's delight, pointing to the spot.Croatia will argue it was not a "clear and obvious" mistake and the handball was not a deliberate act on Perisic's part, and their pain increased as Griezmann slipped home the penalty that was to play a crucial role in the outcome. France won 2-1 against Croatia in the semi-final of the 1998 World Cup – with Didier Deschamps playing the full match – while their meeting at Euro 2004 ended in a 2-2 draw in the group stage. The 2018 FIFA World Cup Final was a football match that took place on 15 July 2018 to determine the winners of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Media playback is not supported on this device This was the first World Cup to utilise VAR - so it was perhaps inevitable it would play a major part in the final.
Assisted by Andrej Kramaric.Get latest scores and headlines sent straight to your phone, sign-up to our newsletter and learn where to find us on online.The latest rumours and stories from around the world of football.Analysis and opinion from our chief football writer.How to get into football - the most popular sport in the world, with clubs and facilities throughout the UK.The future king talks to Peter Crouch about Aston Villa, six-a-side and karaoke Media playback is not supported on this device - Tokyvideo.com They are the 10th European country and 13th overall to reach a World Cup final, and the first new finalist since The final was the sixth meeting between France and Croatia, with France undefeated in the previous fixtures with three wins and two draws.France entered the 2018 World Cup as one of the favourites to win the tournament, particularly for their strong squad featuring several youth talents.Finishing as winners of Group C, France were matched in the round of 16 with Group D runners-up Croatia entered the 2018 World Cup as dark horses, with their The official match ball for the final was the Telstar Mechta (The tournament's closing ceremony was held prior to the start of the match, featuring a performance of "Croatia had the majority of possession and chances early in the first half, with the ball staying mostly in France's half.Ten minutes later, Croatia equalised with a left-footed strike by A Croatian counter-attack was stopped early in the second half after several France became the sixth country to win the World Cup more than once with their win.On 16 July, more than 550,000 fans welcomed the Croatian team home in the capital city of FIFA estimated that the global audience for the final peaked at 1.12 billion people, including 884 million watching television broadcasts and 232 million using other platforms, including online streaming, and at public venues.In total, the final drew more than 160 million viewers in 20 European territories, including Russia, the United Kingdom and Germany.In the United States, the match was broadcast in English on Fan celebrations on the streets of Paris, France (top) and at Notes: There was no qualification for the 1930 World Cup as places were given by invitation only.
Media playback is not supported on this device It was the final of the 21st FIFA World Cup, a quadrennial tournament contested by the men's national teams of the member associations of FIFA. Marko Pjaca replaces Ivan Strinic.Substitution, France.