Reviewing the World Cup Final

Part of our 2018 FIFA World Cup Hub

The 21st FIFA World Cup Final saw France become the 6th country to win the cup more than once.

It was the first Final won by more than one goal since Korea-Japan 2002, where Brazil beat Germany 2-0.

The last time a World Cup Final had this many goals in regular time was back in Sweden 1958, where Brazil beat the hosts 5-2 to win their first title.

FRA v CRO

France won fairly convincingly, and were unquestionably the better side. Croatia were given many chances, the best example being a goalkeeping mistake that gave them their free 2nd goal, but were not able to make good enough use of most of them.

Didier Deschamps has become the 3rd ever person to win the World Cup as both player and manager, and the 2nd ever to win as both captain and manager.

• FRA 1-0 CRO (19′ Mandzukic own goal)
• FRA 1-1 CRO (29′ Perisic)
• FRA 2-1 CRO (38′ Griezmann penalty)
• FRA 3-1 CRO (59′ Pogba)
• FRA 4-1 CRO (65′ Mbappe)
• FRA 4-2 CRO (69′ Mandzukic)

Awards

Golden Ball

• Luka Modric (Croatia)
• Eden Hazard (Belgium)
• Antoine Griezmann (France)

Golden Boot

• Harry Kane (6 goals)
• Antoine Griezmann (4 goals, 2 assists)
• Romelu Lukaku (4 goals, 1 assist)

Other

• Golden Glove: Thibaut Courtois
• Young Player: Kylian Mbappe

Final Standings

(Countries that set a new best record are in bold)

• 1st: France (Δ A+)
• 2nd: Croatia (Δ A-)
• 3rd: Belgium (Δ A)
• 4th: England (A-)
• 5th: Uruguay (Δ A-)
• 6th: Brazil (A+)
• 7th: Sweden (Δ B+)
• 8th: Russia (Δ B)
• 9th: Colombia (A-)
• 10th: Spain (A)
• 11th: Denmark (B+)
• 12th: Mexico (B+)
• 13th: Portugal (A-)
• 14th: Switzerland (B+)
• 15th: Japan (B-)
• 16th: Argentina (∇ B+)
• 17th: Senegal (B)
• 18th: Iran (Δ B+)
• 19th: South Korea (B)
• 20th: Peru (∇ B+)
• 21st: Nigeria (Δ B)
• 22nd: Germany (∇ A-)
• 23rd: Serbia (B)
• 24th: Tunisia (B-)
• 25th: Poland (∇ B)
• 26th: Saudi Arabia (C+)
• 27th: Morocco (B)
• 28th: Iceland (B)
• 29th: Costa Rica (B)
• 30th: Australia (B)
• 31st: Egypt (∇ C+)
• 32nd: Panama (∇ C+)

Biggest Upsets

• South Korea 2-0 Germany (Group F)
  • 4th in World Cup history
  • 7th in all-time history
• Sweden 3-0 Mexico (Group F)
  • 8th in World Cup history
• Nigeria 2-0 Iceland (Group D)

All-Time Standings

• Brazil (5 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze)
• Germany (4 gold, 4 silver, 4 bronze)
• Italy (4 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze)
• Argentina (2 gold, 3 silver)
• France (2 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze)
• Uruguay (2 gold)
• England (1 gold, 3 semifinals)
• Spain (1 gold, 2 semifinals)

• Netherlands (3 silver, 1 bronze)
• Hungary (2 silver, 5 quarterfinals)
• Czechoslovakia (2 silver, 4 quarterfinals)
• Sweden (1 silver, 2 bronze)
• Croatia (1 silver, 1 bronze)

• Poland (2 bronze)
• Belgium (1 bronze, 2 semifinals, 4 quarterfinals, 12x last 16)
• Austria (1 bronze, 2 semifinals, 4 quarterfinals, 5x last 16)
• Portugal (1 bronze, 2 semifinals, 2 quarterfinals)
• Chile (1 bronze, 1 semifinal, 2 quarterfinals, 8x last 16)
• USA (1 bronze, 1 semifinal, 2 quarterfinals, 7x last 16)
• Turkey (1 bronze)