The 2018 FIFA World Cup, held in Russia, was the 21st FIFA World Cup, a quadrennial international association football championship contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). Thirty-two teams, including the host nation, participated in the tournament, which was held from 14 June to 15 July 2018. The tournament was won by France, who defeated Croatia 4–2 in the final held at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.
The tournament was the first to be held in Eastern Europe and the eleventh to be held in Europe. It was also the first World Cup to be held in Russia. The tournament was a success, with a total attendance of 3,031,768 and an average attendance of 43,866. The tournament was also a financial success, with FIFA reporting a revenue of $6.3 billion.
In the following sections, we will take a closer look at the teams that participated in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the matches that were played, and the controversies that arose during the tournament.
Who Won the World Cup in 2018
The 2018 FIFA World Cup was a thrilling tournament that culminated in a memorable final between France and Croatia.
- Host nation: Russia
- Champion: France
- Runner-up: Croatia
- Goals scored: 169
- Golden Boot: Harry Kane (6 goals)
- Golden Ball: Luka Modrić
- Golden Glove: Thibaut Courtois
- Best Young Player: Kylian Mbappé
- Most assists: Eden Hazard (4)
- Most clean sheets: France (5)
The tournament was also notable for its VAR (video assistant referee) system, which was used for the first time at a World Cup. VAR was used to review controversial decisions, such as offside calls and penalty awards.
Host nation: Russia
Russia was selected as the host nation for the 2018 FIFA World Cup on December 2, 2010, by a vote of the FIFA Executive Committee. It was the first time that Russia had ever hosted the World Cup, and the first time that the tournament had been held in Eastern Europe.
Russia invested heavily in infrastructure and stadium construction in preparation for the World Cup. Eleven host cities were chosen, and a total of 12 stadiums were used for the tournament. The most iconic stadium was the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, which hosted the opening match, the semi-finals, and the final.
The Russian national team had a disappointing performance in the World Cup, being eliminated in the group stage after losing to Uruguay and Egypt and drawing with Saudi Arabia. However, the tournament was a success overall, with high attendance figures and a festive atmosphere in the host cities.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup was a major sporting event that had a lasting impact on Russia. The tournament helped to improve the country's infrastructure and boosted its tourism industry. It also helped to raise the profile of football in Russia and inspired a new generation of players.
In addition to the on-field action, the 2018 FIFA World Cup was also notable for its use of technology. For the first time, VAR (video assistant referee) was used at a World Cup. VAR was used to review controversial decisions, such as offside calls and penalty awards. The use of VAR was generally praised by fans and pundits, and it is likely to be used at future World Cups.
Champion: France
France won the 2018 FIFA World Cup for the second time in their history, after their victory in 1998. They defeated Croatia 4-2 in the final, which was held at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.
- Dominant midfield:
France had a strong and experienced midfield, led by N'Golo Kanté, Paul Pogba, and Blaise Matuidi. They controlled the tempo of the game and created many chances for their attackers.
- Clinical finishing:
France's forwards were clinical in front of goal. Kylian Mbappé scored four goals in the tournament, Antoine Griezmann scored four goals and provided two assists, and Olivier Giroud scored one goal and provided two assists.
- Solid defense:
France had a solid defense, led by captain Hugo Lloris in goal and defenders Raphaël Varane, Samuel Umtiti, and Benjamin Pavard. They kept five clean sheets in the tournament and conceded only six goals.
- Team spirit:
France had a strong team spirit and were united on and off the pitch. They were able to overcome challenges and adversity, such as the injury to Ousmane Dembélé in the first game of the tournament.
France's victory in the 2018 FIFA World Cup was a culmination of years of hard work and dedication. They had a talented squad, a strong coaching staff, and the support of their fans. They deserved their victory and will be remembered as one of the great World Cup teams.
Runner-up: Croatia
Croatia reached the final of the 2018 FIFA World Cup for the first time in their history. They were defeated by France in the final, but they had a remarkable tournament and won the hearts of fans around the world.
- Strong midfield:
Croatia had a strong and experienced midfield, led by Luka Modrić, Ivan Rakitić, and Marcelo Brozović. They controlled the tempo of the game and created many chances for their attackers.
- Solid defense:
Croatia had a solid defense, led by captain Dejan Lovren and goalkeeper Danijel Subašić. They kept four clean sheets in the tournament and conceded only five goals.
- Set-piece prowess:
Croatia were dangerous from set-pieces. They scored six goals from set-pieces in the tournament, more than any other team. Luka Modrić and Ivan Perišić were particularly dangerous from free kicks and corners.
- Never-say-die attitude:
Croatia showed great resilience and determination throughout the tournament. They came from behind to win three of their knockout matches, including the quarter-final against Russia and the semi-final against England.
Croatia's run to the final of the 2018 FIFA World Cup was a fairytale story. They were a small nation with limited resources, but they achieved great things through hard work, dedication, and team spirit. They won the respect of fans around the world and will be remembered as one of the great underdog stories in World Cup history.
Goals scored: 169
The 2018 FIFA World Cup was a high-scoring tournament, with a total of 169 goals scored in 64 matches, an average of 2.64 goals per match. This was the highest average goals per match at a World Cup since 1998.
There were a number of factors that contributed to the high scoring in the 2018 World Cup. One factor was the use of VAR (video assistant referee). VAR was used to review controversial decisions, such as offside calls and penalty awards. This led to more goals being awarded, as referees were more likely to award penalties and disallow offside goals.
Another factor that contributed to the high scoring was the attacking style of play adopted by many teams. Teams were more willing to take risks and attack their opponents, which led to more goals being scored. The use of wing-backs also contributed to the high scoring, as wing-backs were able to provide more width and create more chances for their teammates.
Finally, the quality of the players in the tournament was also a factor in the high scoring. The 2018 World Cup featured some of the best players in the world, including Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappé. These players are all capable of scoring goals from anywhere on the pitch, and they helped to make the 2018 World Cup one of the most entertaining and high-scoring tournaments in history.
The high scoring in the 2018 World Cup was a welcome change from the low-scoring tournaments of recent years. Fans were treated to a number of exciting and memorable matches, and the tournament will be remembered as one of the most entertaining World Cups in history.
Golden Boot: Harry Kane (6 goals)
Harry Kane won the Golden Boot award at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, scoring six goals in six matches for England.
- Clinical finishing:
Kane is a clinical finisher and he took his chances well in the tournament. He scored with both feet and his head, and he was always a threat in the penalty area.
- Penalty specialist:
Kane scored three of his six goals from the penalty spot. He was England's designated penalty taker and he never missed from the spot.
- Link-up play:
Kane is not just a goal scorer, he is also a good link-up player. He is able to hold the ball up and bring his teammates into play.
- Big-game player:
Kane scored important goals in England's biggest matches of the tournament. He scored a hat-trick in the group stage against Panama, and he scored the opening goal in the quarter-final against Sweden.
Kane's six goals in the 2018 World Cup helped England to reach the semi-finals of the tournament. He was a key player for England and he deserved to win the Golden Boot award.
Golden Ball: Luka Modrić
Luka Modrić won the Golden Ball award at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, becoming the first Croatian player to win the award.
- Complete midfielder:
Modrić is a complete midfielder. He is a great passer, tackler, and shooter. He can also play in a variety of positions, including central midfield, attacking midfield, and even right back.
- Creativity:
Modrić is a very creative player. He is able to create chances for his teammates with his passing and dribbling skills.
- Leadership:
Modrić is a natural leader. He is the captain of Croatia and he leads by example on and off the pitch.
- Consistency:
Modrić was consistently excellent throughout the tournament. He was one of the best players on the pitch in every game that he played.
Modrić's performances in the 2018 World Cup helped Croatia to reach the final of the tournament. He was a key player for Croatia and he deserved to win the Golden Ball award.
Golden Glove: Thibaut Courtois
Thibaut Courtois won the Golden Glove award at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, becoming the first Belgian player to win the award.
Courtois was in excellent form throughout the tournament. He made a number of key saves in Belgium's group stage matches against Panama and Tunisia. He also kept a clean sheet in Belgium's Round of 16 match against Japan.
In the quarter-final against Brazil, Courtois made a number of saves to keep Belgium in the game. He also saved a penalty from Neymar in the second half. Belgium eventually won the match 2-1.
Courtois continued to impress in the semi-final against France. He made a number of saves to keep Belgium in the game, but France eventually won the match 1-0.
Courtois' performances in the 2018 World Cup helped Belgium to achieve their best ever finish at a World Cup. They finished third in the tournament, their highest ever finish.
Courtois is one of the best goalkeepers in the world. He is a tall and athletic goalkeeper with excellent reflexes and shot-stopping ability. He is also a good communicator and organizer. Courtois is a key player for Belgium and he will be hoping to help them to win their first major trophy at the 2022 World Cup.
Best Young Player: Kylian Mbappé
Kylian Mbappé won the Best Young Player award at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. He became the second player to win the award, after Michael Owen in 1998.
- Pace and dribbling:
Mbappé is one of the fastest and most skillful dribblers in the world. He is able to beat defenders with ease and create chances for himself and his teammates.
- Finishing:
Mbappé is a clinical finisher. He is able to score goals from all over the pitch.
- Big-game player:
Mbappé has a knack for scoring important goals in big games. He scored in the final of the 2018 World Cup and he has also scored important goals for Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
- Potential:
Mbappé is still only 23 years old and he has the potential to become one of the best players in the world. He has already won the World Cup and the Ligue 1 title, and he will be hoping to add more trophies to his collection in the years to come.
Mbappé is a special talent and he is one of the most exciting players to watch in world football. He has the potential to become one of the greatest players of all time.
Most assists: Eden Hazard (4)
Eden Hazard provided four assists at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, more than any other player in the tournament. His assists helped Belgium to reach the semi-finals of the tournament, where they were eventually defeated by France.
Hazard is a creative and skillful winger who is able to create chances for his teammates with his passing and dribbling skills. He is также a good set-piece taker and he created a number of chances for his teammates from corners and free kicks.
Hazard's four assists at the 2018 World Cup were a testament to his quality as a player. He is one of the best wingers in the world and he is a key player for Belgium.
Here are some of the highlights of Hazard's assists at the 2018 World Cup:
- He assisted Romelu Lukaku's goal in Belgium's 3-0 win over Panama in the group stage.
- He assisted Lukaku's goal in Belgium's 2-1 win over Japan in the Round of 16.
- He assisted Nacer Chadli's goal in Belgium's 2-1 win over Brazil in the quarter-final.
- He assisted Marouane Fellaini's goal in Belgium's 2-0 win over England in the third-place match.
Hazard's assists helped Belgium to achieve their best ever finish at a World Cup. They finished third in the tournament, their highest ever finish.
Hazard is a key player for Belgium and he will be hoping to help them to win their first major trophy at the 2022 World Cup.
Most clean sheets: France (5)
France kept five clean sheets at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, more than any other team in the tournament. This was a testament to the strength of their defense, which was led by captain Hugo Lloris in goal and defenders Raphaël Varane, Samuel Umtiti, and Benjamin Pavard.
- Solid defense:
France had a solid defense that was well-organized and difficult to break down. They were able to keep clean sheets against some of the best teams in the world, including Argentina, Uruguay, and Belgium.
- Hugo Lloris:
Hugo Lloris was in excellent form throughout the tournament. He made a number of key saves and he was always commanding in his area.
- Varane and Umtiti:
Raphaël Varane and Samuel Umtiti formed a strong partnership at the heart of France's defense. They were both excellent in the air and they were also good at reading the game and making interceptions.
- Pavard and Hernandez:
Benjamin Pavard and Lucas Hernandez were also impressive at full-back. They provided width and attacking threat, but they were also solid defensively.
France's strong defense was a key factor in their victory at the 2018 World Cup. They were able to keep clean sheets in the most important matches of the tournament, and this helped them to lift the trophy.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about the 2018 FIFA World Cup:
Question 1: Who won the 2018 FIFA World Cup?
Answer: France defeated Croatia 4-2 in the final to win the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Question 2: Which country hosted the 2018 FIFA World Cup?
Answer: Russia hosted the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Question 3: Who was the top goalscorer at the 2018 FIFA World Cup?
Answer: Harry Kane of England won the Golden Boot award with 6 goals.
Question 4: Who won the Golden Ball award for the best player at the 2018 FIFA World Cup?
Answer: Luka Modrić of Croatia won the Golden Ball award.
Question 5: Who won the Golden Glove award for the best goalkeeper at the 2018 FIFA World Cup?
Answer: Thibaut Courtois of Belgium won the Golden Glove award.
Question 6: Who won the Best Young Player award at the 2018 FIFA World Cup?
Answer: Kylian Mbappé of France won the Best Young Player award.
Question 7: How many goals were scored in the 2018 FIFA World Cup?
Answer: There were 169 goals scored in the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Closing Paragraph for FAQ
These are just some of the frequently asked questions about the 2018 FIFA World Cup. For more information, please visit the official FIFA website.
In addition to the FAQ, here are some tips for enjoying the 2018 FIFA World Cup:
Tips
Here are some tips for enjoying the 2018 FIFA World Cup:
Tip 1: Watch the games with friends and family.
Watching the World Cup is more fun when you can share the experience with others. Invite your friends and family over to watch the games and enjoy the excitement together.
Tip 2: Make it a party.
Decorate your home or office in the colors of your favorite team and serve food and drinks from the countries that are playing. You can also have a World Cup-themed party with games and prizes.
Tip 3: Get involved in the online community.
There are many online communities dedicated to the World Cup. You can join these communities to discuss the games, share your predictions, and connect with other fans from around the world.
Tip 4: Make a World Cup bracket.
A World Cup bracket is a chart that shows the schedule of the tournament and allows you to predict the winners of each match. You can find World Cup brackets online or you can create your own. It's a fun way to get involved in the tournament and see how your predictions stack up against the experts.
Closing Paragraph for Tips
These are just a few tips for enjoying the 2018 FIFA World Cup. With a little planning, you can make the most of this exciting tournament.
Now that you know who won the World Cup in 2018, the host nation, the champion, the runner-up, and other important details, you can enjoy the tournament even more. So grab your friends and family, make some snacks, and get ready to cheer on your favorite team!
Conclusion
The 2018 FIFA World Cup was a memorable tournament that will be remembered for its exciting matches, stunning goals, and unexpected results.
France won the tournament for the second time in their history, defeating Croatia 4-2 in the final. Kylian Mbappé was one of the stars of the tournament, scoring four goals and winning the Best Young Player award.
Luka Modrić of Croatia won the Golden Ball award for the best player of the tournament. He was a key player for Croatia and helped them to reach the final.
Thibaut Courtois of Belgium won the Golden Glove award for the best goalkeeper of the tournament. He made a number of key saves for Belgium and helped them to achieve their best ever finish at a World Cup.
The 2018 World Cup was also notable for the use of VAR (video assistant referee). VAR was used to review controversial decisions, such as offside calls and penalty awards. The use of VAR was generally praised by fans and pundits, and it is likely to be used at future World Cups.
Overall, the 2018 FIFA World Cup was a great success. It was a tournament that had something for everyone, and it will be remembered as one of the best World Cups in history.
Closing Message
Thank you for reading this article about the 2018 FIFA World Cup. We hope you enjoyed learning about the tournament and its winners. We hope you will continue to follow the World Cup and other major sporting events in the future.