QUIZ: How well do you remember the 2018 FIFA World Cup final between France and Croatia in Russia?
Published 19/03/2025 at 10:14 GMT
France and Croatia will lock horns in a two-legged affair to see who will reach the UEFA Nations League semi-finals. The first leg takes place on Thursday before the French will host the return leg on Sunday evening. As both nations prepare to face each other, we thought it would be a perfect time to look back at when they faced off in the biggest game of the sport - the 2018 World Cup final.
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France and Croatia will renew their international rivalry when they meet each other this week in the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals.
The first leg takes place in Croatia on Thursday night before Les Bleus host the return leg on Sunday evening for a place in the last four of the competition.
In the previous 10 meetings between the two nations, France have earned six victories in those matches, with Croatia winning just once.
The most iconic victory for the French came in the 2018 World Cup final in Russia, where Les Bleus became world champions for the third time.
With both teams locking horns once again, we thought it would be the perfect time to test your knowledge and see how much you remember from that thrilling final.
Good luck!
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Stage is set
France had earned their place in the final with a battling 1-0 win over Belgium in the semi-finals, while Croatia broke English hearts with a 2-1 victory in extra-time.
The stage was set for legends to be made and careers to be defined in the World Cup final on March 15.
But which stadium hosted the showdown?
Deadlock broken early!
That didn't take long!
The first goal of the 2018 World Cup final put favourites France ahead after just 18 minutes.
But who scored the goal?
VAR awards controversial penalty
The 2018 World Cup was the first edition to implement VAR so it was destiny that the new technology would play a part in the final.
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VAR sent Argentinian referee Nestor Pitana to the screen, and he awarded a penalty to France in controversial fashion.
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Nestor Pitana consults VAR during World Cup final.
Image credit: Getty Images
Which Croatian player was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the penalty area?
Half-time whistle blows
Both players trod off the pitch knowing that they are 45 minutes away from football immortality.
However, what was the score at the break?
Time for changes
N'Golo Kante was one of the players of the tournament in Russia - no surprise there!
However, the dynamic midfielder was the first player to be substituted in the final after just 55 minutes.
Who came on to replace him?
PogBOOM!
It just had to be him, didn't it?
Paul Pogba was made for the World Cup stage, and he had his iconic moment when he scored shortly after France's substitution.
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Paul Pogba celebrates goal in World Cup final.
Image credit: Getty Images
It was a magic moment for the then-Manchester United midfielder, who had enjoyed an impressive tournament.
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Mbappe announces himself to the world
One of the main reasons France had reached the final was their new sensation - Kylian Mbappe.
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The youngster had been influential on their journey to the final, and he announced himself to the world with a fantastic goal in the second half.
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Kylian Mbappe celebrates goal in World Cup final.
Image credit: Getty Images
But who set him up?
Mbappe also became the second-youngest player since football icon Pele to score in a World Cup final.
How old was the forward?
Lloris howler
Although Hugo Lloris would have the honour of being the first French captain to lift the trophy since 1998, the goalkeeper had a moment to forget in the game.
Just moments after Mbappe had grabbed his goal, Croatia responded after Lloris was caught out after trying to dribble the ball past the onrushing opponent.
Who capitalised on Lloris' massive blunder?
Best player of the tournament
France became world champions once again!
It was a special moment for Didier Deschamps and his team as they added a third star to their jersey.
Following the final, the Golden Ball award was handed out to the best player of the World Cup.
Who won the award?
How did you get on?
Count up your score (out of 10) and hit the appropriate emoji!
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❤ 10/10
👍 7-9
😲 4-6
😆 2-3
😡 0-1
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