On This Day in 2018: France Defeated Croatia to Lift 2nd FIFA World Cup Title in Thrilling Moscow Final
Eight years ago on July 15, 2018, France clinched their second FIFA World Cup title, defeating Croatia 4-2 in a captivating final at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. Relive the iconic moments, including goals from Mbappé, Griezmann, and Pogba, and Didier Deschamps' historic achievement as the third man to win the trophy as both a player and a coach.
Eight years ago today, on July 15, 2018, the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia, bore witness to a historic football spectacle as France secured their second FIFA World Cup title, overcoming a spirited Croatian side with a decisive 4-2 victory in a memorable final. The showpiece event of the 21st FIFA World Cup delivered a thrilling contest filled with drama, stunning goals, and groundbreaking moments. France vs Spain FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi-Final Video Highlights.
A Goal-Filled Affair in Moscow
The final began with an early advantage for France when a free-kick from Antoine Griezmann led to an unfortunate own goal by Croatian striker Mario Mandžukić in the 18th minute. However, Croatia responded swiftly, with Ivan Perišić leveling the score at 1-1 just ten minutes later with a powerful left-footed strike. The momentum shifted again when France was awarded a penalty via VAR (Video Assistant Referee) for a handball by Perišić, which Griezmann calmly converted in the 38th minute, putting France 2-1 ahead at halftime.
The second half saw France extend their lead through a long-range effort from Paul Pogba in the 59th minute, followed by a remarkable goal from the then 19-year-old Kylian Mbappé in the 65th minute, making him only the second teenager in history, after Pelé, to score in a World Cup final. Despite a glimmer of hope for Croatia when Mandžukić capitalized on a goalkeeping error by Hugo Lloris in the 69th minute to make it 4-2, France held firm to claim the coveted trophy. FIFA World Cup 2026 Schedule Today (July 16): Timings in IST, Venues, Groups.
Key Goalscorers and Their Ages (on July 15, 2018):
| Player Name | Team | Goal Type | Minute | Age at Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mario Mandžukić | Croatia | Own Goal | 18' | 32 years old |
| Ivan Perišić | Croatia | Open Play | 28' | 29 years old |
| Antoine Griezmann | France | Penalty | 38' | 27 years old |
| Paul Pogba | France | Open Play | 59' | 25 years old |
| Kylian Mbappé | France | Open Play | 65' | 19 years old |
| Mario Mandžukić | Croatia | Open Play | 69' | 32 years old |
Deschamps' Historic Achievement
The victory was particularly significant for French coach Didier Deschamps, who, at 49 years old, became only the third person in football history to win the FIFA World Cup as both a player and a manager. Deschamps had previously captained France to their first World Cup triumph on home soil in 1998. This elite club includes only Brazil's Mário Zagallo and Germany's Franz Beckenbauer.
The Venue: Luzhniki Stadium
The final was played at the iconic Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, a venue with a seating capacity of 78,011 for the final and a rich history, having also hosted events during the 1980 Summer Olympics. The atmosphere was electric, with over 1.1 billion people tuning in to watch the spectacle worldwide.
Eight years on, the memory of France's clinical performance and Croatia's valiant effort in Moscow remains a cherished highlight in the annals of FIFA World Cup history, celebrating a day when Les Bleus reaffirmed their status as global footballing powerhouses.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 15, 2026 10:19 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).