🔥 Trending Reliving the 2018 World Cup: France's Performance and Key Reactions

The 2018 FIFA World Cup, hosted in Russia, was a memorable tournament culminating in France's second-ever World Cup victory. The final match saw France defeat Croatia 4-2 in a thrilling encounter ¹⁵.

Key Moments of the 2018 World Cup

France's Dominance and Journey to the Final

France's national team, often referred to as Les Bleus, demonstrated a strong and cohesive performance throughout the tournament ²³. Their squad featured a blend of experienced players and emerging talents, notably a then 19-year-old Kylian Mbappé ¹¹⁰.

• Group Stage: France topped Group C, securing victories against Australia and Peru, and drawing with Denmark ⁶.
• Round of 16 vs. Argentina: One of the most electrifying matches for France was their 4-3 victory over Argentina. Kylian Mbappé delivered a standout performance, scoring two goals and earning a penalty, which drew comparisons to Pelé's early career achievements ⁴⁹¹⁰.
• Quarter-finals vs. Uruguay: France advanced with a 2-0 win.
• Semi-finals vs. Belgium: A tight 1-0 victory against a strong Belgian side secured their place in the final.

The Final Match: France vs. Croatia

The final, held at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, was a high-scoring affair, the highest since 1966 ⁵.

• Early Goals: France took the lead through an own goal by Mario Mandžukić, but Croatia quickly equalized with an Ivan Perišić strike.
• VAR's Impact: A controversial penalty awarded to France after a VAR review for a handball allowed Antoine Griezmann to convert, putting France ahead again ⁸.
• Second Half Surge: Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappé both scored in the second half, extending France's lead ²³. Mbappé's goal made him the second teenager after Pelé to score in a World Cup final ¹⁰.
• Croatia's Consolation: Mandžukić scored a second goal for Croatia, but it wasn't enough to change the outcome, with the match ending 4-2 to France ¹⁵⁸.

Reactions to France's Victory

France's triumph was met with widespread celebration across the nation, marking their second World Cup title, 20 years after their first in 1998 ⁷.

• Kylian Mbappé's Emergence: Mbappé was hailed as one of the tournament's breakout stars. His speed, skill, and goal-scoring ability captivated audiences, and he was awarded the Best Young Player award ¹⁸¹⁰. His performances, particularly against Argentina, were highlighted as pivotal ⁴.
• Team Cohesion and Tactical Prowess: The French team was praised for its strong defensive organization, midfield control, and dangerous attacking transitions, led by manager Didier Deschamps ¹.
• VAR's Role: The tournament was notable for the introduction of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, which played a significant role in several matches, including the final's penalty decision ⁸. While it sparked debate, it also aimed to ensure fairer outcomes.
• Croatian Resilience: Despite the loss, Croatia's performance throughout the tournament, reaching their first-ever World Cup final, was widely applauded. Luka Modrić, their captain, received the Golden Ball award as the tournament's best player ¹⁸.