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?
Lloris; Pavard, Varane, Umtiti and Hernández; Kanté and Pogba; Mbappé, Griezmann and Matuidi; Giroud.
Who scored for France in the final?
France benefited from a Mario Mandžukić own goal, then Griezmann, Pogba and Mbappé scored.
How many goals did Mbappé score in 2018?
Mbappé scored four goals, including one in the final.
Did Olivier Giroud score in the tournament?
No, but his movement, pressing and ability to occupy centre-backs remained important to France's attacking structure.
Can I use France 2018 in 7a0?
Yes. France 2018 is available as a complete historical squad in the synchronized archive.
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.