Who won the 2018 World Cup?
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The 2018 World Cup was won by the French national soccer team, which defeated Croatia 4-2 in the final on July 15, 2018, at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia. This triumph earned France its second World Cup title, twenty years after its first victory at the 1998 World Cup held on its home soil.
The 2018 World Cup, organized by FIFA, took place in Russia from June 14 to July 15, 2018. It was the 21st edition of the tournament and the first to be held in an Eastern European country. Thirty-two teams from five continents took part in the competition, which was held in twelve stadiums in eleven Russian cities, including Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Kazan, and Sochi.
The tournament was marked by numerous surprises. Defending champions Germany were eliminated in the group stage, while nations such as Belgium, Croatia, and England stood out with their spectacular play. VAR (video assistant referee) was also used for the first time in a World Cup, marking a technological revolution in refereeing.
Under the leadership of Didier Deschamps, former captain of the 1998 World Cup-winning team, France began the competition in Group C alongside Australia, Peru, and Denmark. Without particularly shining, Les Bleus finished first in their group with two wins and one draw.
It was in the round of 16 that France revealed its full power. They beat Argentina 4-3 in a spectacular match in which 19-year-old Kylian Mbappé scored two goals and established himself as the revelation of the tournament. In the quarterfinals, Les Bleus beat Uruguay 2-0, then eliminated Belgium (1-0) in the semifinals thanks to a goal from Samuel Umtiti.
On July 15, 2018, France faced Luka Modrić’s Croatia, surprise finalists after eliminating England in the semifinals. The match was played in front of 78,000 spectators and millions of television viewers around the world.
In the first half, France took the lead thanks to an own goal by Mario Mandžukić (1-0), before Croatia equalized through Ivan Perišić (1-1). Shortly after, a penalty awarded following a Croatian handball in the box allowed Antoine Griezmann to restore Les Bleus’ lead (2-1).
In the second half, France picked up the pace: Paul Pogba scored the third goal (3-1), then Kylian Mbappé sealed the match with a powerful strike (4-1). Despite a mistake by French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris that gifted Mandžukić a goal (4-2), France maintained its lead until the final whistle.
Les Bleus became world champions for the second time, twenty years after Zidane’s generation. Didier Deschamps made history by becoming the third man to win the World Cup both as a player and as a coach, after Mário Zagallo (Brazil) and Franz Beckenbauer (Germany).
This victory crowned a young, talented, and united team. Players such as Kylian Mbappé, Antoine Griezmann, N’Golo Kanté, Raphaël Varane, and Paul Pogba have become the symbols of this new golden generation.
Kylian Mbappé receives the trophy for best young player of the competition, while Luka Modrić (Croatia) is voted best player of the tournament.
The success of Les Bleus sparks huge popular enthusiasm in France. The team’s return to Paris is celebrated on the Champs-Élysées, where hundreds of thousands of fans cheer the new world champions.
France wins the 2018 World Cup, beating Croatia 4-2 in Moscow. This second title, after the one in 1998, crowns the work of Didier Deschamps and reveals to the world an exceptional generation led by Kylian Mbappé and Antoine Griezmann. More than just a sporting victory, this triumph embodies a collective and national victory, a symbol of French unity and pride.
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Who won the 2018 World Cup?
Answer
France won the 2018 World Cup by beating Croatia 4-2 in the final in Moscow, securing its second world title after 1998.