France 2–1 Australia
Griezmann converted a VAR-awarded penalty and an Aziz Behich own goal gave France a narrow opening win.
Historic squad guide · Champion
France 2018 World Cup Squad
France's 2018 World Cup squad won the country's second title with a team designed for knockout football. Didier Deschamps combined defensive balance, midfield athleticism and rapid transitions, then received goals from four different players in the 4–2 final victory over Croatia.
Tournament resultChampion
FinalFrance 4–2 Croatia
Tournament record6 wins · 1 draw
Goals scored14
Goals conceded6
CaptainHugo Lloris
Top France scorersGriezmann & Mbappé · 4
Head coachDidier Deschamps
Archive rating82
How the France 2018 team played
France often defended in a compact 4-4-2 shape without the ball. N'Golo Kanté protected central spaces, Paul Pogba progressed possession through long and short passing, and Blaise Matuidi narrowed from the left to strengthen midfield. Antoine Griezmann moved between midfield and attack, Olivier Giroud occupied centre-backs without needing to score, and Kylian Mbappé attacked open space from the right. Benjamin Pavard and Lucas Hernández advanced selectively rather than leaving the back line exposed.
Key players
Mbappé scored four goals and became the second teenager to score in a men's World Cup final. Griezmann also scored four, created through set pieces and received the Bronze Ball. Captain Hugo Lloris made decisive saves throughout the knockout stage, while Raphaël Varane and Samuel Umtiti formed a strong central defence. Pogba delivered one of his best international tournaments and scored in the final, with Kanté covering large areas behind him.
Legacy of the squad
France won with one of the tournament's youngest squads and demonstrated that technical quality did not require constant possession. The team could defend deep, press selected moments or attack through Mbappé's speed. The title connected Deschamps's experience as captain of the 1998 champions with a new generation and began a run that also included the 2022 final and 2026 semifinal.
Every match from the tournament run
France 2018 World Cup results
France 1–0 Peru
Mbappé scored from close range and France controlled the second half to qualify early.
Denmark 0–0 France
Both teams advanced after a cautious match with few clear chances.
France 4–3 Argentina
Mbappé won a penalty and scored twice, while Pavard produced a celebrated equalising volley.
Uruguay 0–2 France
Varane headed Griezmann's free kick before Griezmann's long-range shot secured the victory.
France 1–0 Belgium
Umtiti headed Griezmann's corner and France defended its lead through compact positioning.
France 4–2 Croatia
An own goal, Griezmann penalty and second-half strikes from Pogba and Mbappé delivered France's second title.
Verified lineup from the final
France 2018 World Cup final starting XI
France's final XI used captain Lloris in goal; Pavard, Varane, Umtiti and Hernández in defence; Kanté and Pogba in central midfield; Mbappé, Griezmann and Matuidi behind Giroud. Without the ball Matuidi dropped alongside the midfielders, while Mbappé remained higher to threaten Croatia in transition.
- 1Hugo Lloris
- 2Benjamin Pavard
- 3Raphaël Varane
- 4Samuel Umtiti
- 5Lucas Hernández
- 6N'Golo Kanté
- 7Paul Pogba
- 8Kylian Mbappé
- 9Antoine Griezmann
- 10Blaise Matuidi
- 11Olivier Giroud
Roles behind the tournament run
Key France 2018 player contributions
Kylian Mbappé
Used exceptional speed against exposed defences, scored four goals and became a teenage final scorer.
Antoine Griezmann
Scored four goals, created from dead balls and linked midfield to Giroud and Mbappé.
Paul Pogba
Switched play, released runners and scored France's third goal in the final.
N'Golo Kanté
Covered central transitions and allowed Pogba and Griezmann to take greater creative responsibility.
Raphaël Varane
Defended large spaces, dominated aerial situations and scored the quarterfinal opener against Uruguay.
Hugo Lloris
Made important knockout saves and directed a defence that conceded no quarterfinal or semifinal goal.
Suggested XI generated from archive order
7a0 suggested France 2018 lineup
This playable selection is separate from the verified historical final starting XI shown above.
23 players
Complete France 2018 squad by position
Goalkeepers
- #1LlorisGK86
- #16MandandaGK77
- #23AreolaGK73
Defenders
- #2PavardRB / CB81
- #3KimpembeCB78
- #4VaraneCB89
- #5UmtitiCB85
- #17RamiCB75
- #19SidibéRB / RM78
- #21Lucas HernandezLB / CB82
- #22MendyLB77
Midfielders
- #6PogbaDM / CM / RM90
- #8LemarLM / LW / AM78
- #12TolissoDM / CM / RM79
- #13KantéDM / RM91
- #14MatuidiLM / CM / AM82
- #15NzonziDM / RM77
- #18FekirAM / ST / LW79
Forwards
- #7GriezmannST / LM / AM90
- #9GiroudST82
- #10MbappéRW / ST / LW94
- #11DembéléRW / LW79
- #20ThauvinRW / LM77
Legend markers in 7a0
Featured legends
Mbappé
France 2018 FAQ
Who started for France in the 2018 World Cup final?
France's starting XI in the 2018 final was Hugo Lloris; Benjamin Pavard, Raphaël Varane, Samuel Umtiti, and Lucas Hernández; Paul Pogba and N'Golo Kanté; Kylian Mbappé, Antoine Griezmann, and Blaise Matuidi; Olivier Giroud. They defeated Croatia 4–2 at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.
Who scored the goals for France in the 2018 World Cup final?
France scored through a Mario Mandžukić own goal, an Antoine Griezmann penalty, a Paul Pogba curler, and a 25-yard drive from Kylian Mbappé. Ivan Perišić and Mandžukić scored Croatia's two goals in the highest-scoring final since 1966.
How old was Kylian Mbappé when he scored in the 2018 final?
Kylian Mbappé was 19 years and 207 days old, becoming the second teenager after Pelé in 1958 to score in a men's World Cup final. He finished the tournament with four goals and received the FIFA Young Player Award.
Did Didier Deschamps win the World Cup as both player and manager?
Yes, Didier Deschamps became only the third person in football history to win the World Cup as both captain (1998) and manager (2018). He joined Brazil's Mário Zagallo and West Germany's Franz Beckenbauer in this elite club.
What was Olivier Giroud's tactical contribution despite scoring zero goals?
Olivier Giroud started six matches and played 546 minutes without recording a shot on target, but his physical presence pinned opposing center-backs. His hold-up play and aerial duel wins created vital space for Mbappé and Griezmann to exploit in transition.
How did France win the thrilling 4–3 match against Argentina?
France defeated Argentina 4–3 in the round of 16 behind two goals and a won penalty from Mbappé, plus a stunning 20-yard outside-of-the-boot volley from Benjamin Pavard. Pavard's strike was officially voted the Goal of the Tournament.
What awards did Antoine Griezmann win at the 2018 World Cup?
Antoine Griezmann won the Bronze Ball as the tournament's third-best player and the Silver Boot with four goals and two assists. He was also named Man of the Match in the final after scoring the penalty and taking the free-kick that led to the opening goal.
What was France's tactical structure under Didier Deschamps in 2018?
Deschamps deployed an asymmetric 4-2-3-1 system that defended in a compact 4-4-2 mid-block with Blaise Matuidi tucking inside from the left wing. This structure protected Pogba and Kanté while leaving Mbappé positioned as a lethal weapon on counter-attacks.
What player ratings do France 2018 stars carry in 7a0?
Kylian Mbappé commands a 93 force rating in 7a0, with Antoine Griezmann and N'Golo Kanté rated 91 and 90, and Paul Pogba at 89. The 2018 squad boasts an exceptional 95 counter-attack speed score in the 7a0 engine.
How can I play with the France 2018 squad in 7a0?
Select France 2018 from the tournament archive in 7a0 to recruit Mbappé, Griezmann, Kanté, and Pogba into your custom team. You can deploy Deschamps's lethal transition tactics to strike opponents rapidly on the break.
Sources and editorial review
Editorial review: 7a0.online
Last reviewed: 2026-07-25
Historical results and lineups are checked against the cited records. Player ratings, position eligibility and suggested lineups are independent 7a0 editorial values.