The FIFA World Cup is the most sought-after trophy in the sport of soccer, and the tournament finale is often a dramatic affair. This year’s final was no different, as France and Croatia went head-to-head in a dramatic penalty shootout that saw the French players emerging victorious. Here we take a look at some of the talking points from this thrilling match.
Background
This year’s World Cup took place in Russia, following the traditional route of the tournament being held in a different host nation each period. The final match saw France and Croatia battling for the famous trophy. France entered the game as favourites, having been undefeated throughout the tournament and having won their semi-final match against Belgium 1-0. Croatia, on the other hand, was considered the underdog in the encore, having previously been eliminated from the tournament by France’s semi-final rivals and having had to play two consecutive extra-time matches in the earlier rounds of the tournament.
The Match
The match itself was an intense and tight affair. France had the majority of the possession and created several chances to score, with Antoine Griezmann having the most noteworthy opportunity in the first half. Croatia had their fair share of shots on target, but the majority of these were either stopped or blocked by the impressive French defense. The match ended 0-0 and the two teams entered extra-time.
Extra-time
The extra-time period saw Croatia pose a greater threat to France’s defense. However, despite some close calls, the score remained as it had at the end of the first ninety minutes and so the match went into a penalty shootout.
The Penalty Shootout
The penalty shootout saw France score all four of their spot-kicks, and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris make a dramatic save from Croatia’s third penalty effort. In the end, it was France’s substitute goalkeeper, Steve Mandanda, that stepped up with the winning kick to secure the trophy for the nation.
Reaction
Following the game, French players celebrated their unlikely victory in the pouring rain. Meanwhile, Croatia was left dejected, but with the nation being praised by many for their never-say-die attitude and resilience.
France’s dramatic penalty shootout victory at this year’s World Cup certainly provided an incredible spectacle and no doubt will live long on in soccer fans’ memories. It was a hard-fought battle, but in the end, the French team proved their worth and were crowned the 2018 FIFA World Cup champions.