Who won the last edition of FIFA World Cup in 2018?

France and Croatia played the FIFA World Cup 2018

The FIFA World Cup 2018 was contested in Russia from June 14 to July 15. Germany clinched the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The 2018 FIFA World Cup featured 32 teams arranged into eight groups of four.

The World Cup was contested in Europe for the first time following 2006. A total of 64 games were conducted throughout 12 stadiums in 11 cities of the host nation, Russia.

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Also Read: Where did FIFA World Cup’s first edition take place?

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Who won the FIFA 2018 World Cup?

The French national team was hailed as world champions on Sunday after overcoming an unexpected Croatian squad 4-2 in the World Cup final in Moscow, claiming its second World Cup trophy and first after hosting the competition in 1998 20 years ago. Didier Deschamps, boss of Les Bleus, was a captain in 1998 while his squad stunned Brazil in Paris, while also becoming only the third person to clinch the World Cup as both a player and a coach on Sunday.

France joined the championship as the favorite, led by stars including Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann, while Croatia was considered a longshot to win. Croatia controlled the contest in certain ways. It controlled the ball for more than 60% of the time. It had higher passing accuracy than France and nearly doubled the number of goal attempts. Nonetheless, France’s attack emerged at crucial times, and their four goals sealed their World Cup victory.

How did France win the FIFA World Cup 2018?

Mbappe with the 2018 FIFA World Cup trophy

Croatia suffered its first significant setback 18 minutes through. Croatian forward Mario Mandzukic tallied a goal for France by moving it into his net. Soon after, Croatia’s Ivan Perisic scored to tie the game. The referees then granted France a penalty kick for Perisic’s handball, providing France with a crucial advantage.

Watch the moment #France became world champion for the second time, just moments ago, at the Champ de Mars, in #Paris pic.twitter.com/NyJvtXRRCo
— FRANCE 24 English (@France24_en) July 15, 2018

It was a chance that France’s Antoine Griezmann took advantage of, winning a goal to make the tally 2-1 at the half. France’s Paul Pogba tallied in the 59th minute, which was preceded immediately by another goal from France, this moment from Mbappe, six minutes afterward. This was also an iconic goal. Mbappe, 19, became the first teenager to score in a World Cup Final since Brazilian soccer legend Pele.

Croatia’s Mandzukic then did score, bringing the result to 4-2, courtesy of a French error. On Sunday, the teams encountered at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium, bringing the month-long championship throughout Russia to an end.

Four goals in a final is a 1st ever since Pele’s times

France became the first squad since Brazil in 1970 to score four goals in the final. Les Bleus also tallied four goals versus Argentina in the knockout stage.

Awards at the FIFA World Cup 2018

Runners-up Croatia of the FIFA World Cup 2018

Croatia’s Luka Modric received the championship’s Golden Ball, which is awarded to the contest’s best player. England’s Harry Kane received the Golden Boot, which is given to the top scorer. Thibaut Courtois of Belgium earned the Golden Glove Award, which is awarded to the best goalkeeper, and Mbappe garnered the Young Player Award. Spain received the tournament’s Fair Play Trophy for its disciplinary record.

The French will attempt to defend their crown at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, becoming the first team to accomplish this since Brazil in 1958 and 1962. Stars like Kylian Mbappe, Paul Pogba, Hugo Lloris, and Aurelien Tchouameni are keen to return to the world stage to guide Les Bleus to win back-to-back titles.