2018 FIFA World Cup knockout stage

The knockout stage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup was the second and final stage of the competition, following the group stage. It began on 30 June with the round of 16 and ended on 15 July with the final match, held at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.[1] The top two teams from each group (16 in total) advanced to the knockout stage to compete in a single-elimination style tournament. A third place play-off was also played between the two losing teams of the semi-finals.[2]

France won the final 4–2 against Croatia for their second title.[3]

All times listed are local time.[1]

Format

In the knockout stage, if a match was level at the end of 90 minutes of normal playing time, extra time was played (two periods of 15 minutes each), where each team was allowed to make a fourth substitution.[4] If still tied after extra time, the match was decided by a penalty shoot-out to determine the winners.[2]

Qualified teams

The top two placed teams from each of the eight groups qualified for the knockout stage.[2]

Group Winners Runners-up
A  Uruguay  Russia
B  Spain  Portugal
C  France  Denmark
D  Croatia  Argentina
E  Brazil   Switzerland
F  Sweden  Mexico
G  Belgium  England
H  Colombia  Japan

Bracket

 
Round of 16Quarter-finalsSemi-finalsFinal
 
              
 
30 June – Sochi
 
 
 Uruguay2
 
6 July – Nizhny Novgorod
 
 Portugal1
 
 Uruguay0
 
30 June – Kazan
 
 France2
 
 France4
 
10 July – Saint Petersburg
 
 Argentina3
 
 France1
 
2 July – Samara
 
 Belgium0
 
 Brazil2
 
6 July – Kazan
 
 Mexico0
 
 Brazil1
 
2 July – Rostov-on-Don
 
 Belgium2
 
 Belgium3
 
15 July – Moscow (Luzhniki)
 
 Japan2
 
 France4
 
1 July – Moscow (Luzhniki)
 
 Croatia2
 
 Spain1 (3)
 
7 July – Sochi
 
 Russia (p)1 (4)
 
 Russia2 (3)
 
1 July – Nizhny Novgorod
 
 Croatia (p)2 (4)
 
 Croatia (p)1 (3)
 
11 July – Moscow (Luzhniki)
 
 Denmark1 (2)
 
 Croatia (a.e.t.)2
 
3 July – Saint Petersburg
 
 England1 Third place play-off
 
 Sweden1
 
7 July – Samara14 July – Saint Petersburg
 
  Switzerland0
 
 Sweden0 Belgium2
 
3 July – Moscow (Otkritie)
 
 England2  England0
 
 Colombia1 (3)
 
 
 England (p)1 (4)
 

Round of 16

France vs Argentina

Match referee Alireza Faghani presents one of eight yellow cards during the match.

The teams had faced each other in 11 previous matches, including two World Cup group stage matches, both won by Argentina (1–0 in 1930, and 2–1 in 1978).[5]

After nine minutes, Antoine Griezmann's 25-yard free-kick crashed back off Franco Armani's crossbar. After picking the ball up deep inside his own half, Kylian Mbappé set off on a run that was halted when Marcos Rojo hauled him down just inside the area. Griezmann stepped up and converted from the spot, sending the ball low to Armani's right. Four minutes before the interval, Ángel Di María shot from distance with his left foot to beat Hugo Lloris into the top right corner of the net. Three minutes after the restart, Éver Banega's free-kick was headed out towards Lionel Messi whose effort towards goal from the right was diverted past Lloris by Gabriel Mercado with his left leg. Nine minutes later, Lucas Hernandez's cross from the left found Benjamin Pavard, who shot a half-volley from outside the area, sending it into Armani's top-right corner. Mbappé put France ahead again in the 64th minute when he picked up a loose ball in the left of the area, found a yard of space and fired in low with his left foot under Armani. His second – a first-time low finish from the right of the penalty area with his right foot – followed just four minutes later.[6] Sergio Agüero nodded home in the third minute of stoppage time from a Messi cross from the right.[7] Argentina had a final chance to score, but the ball was deflected, dumping them out of the World Cup.[8] This game was hailed as "one of the greatest World Cup games of all time" by The Independent.[9]

With this match, Didier Deschamps became the longest-serving coach in the history of the French national team with his 80th game in charge of France, moving ahead of his predecessor Raymond Domenech.[10] Mbappé became the first teenager to score at least twice in a World Cup tournament since Michael Owen in 1998, and the first teenager to score at least twice in a single World Cup match since Pelé netted twice for Brazil against Sweden in the 1958 final. Argentina became the first team to score at least three goals but still lose a World Cup match since the Soviet Union vs Belgium in 1986.[6] Pavard's strike was later voted as goal of the tournament.[11]

France 4–3 Argentina
Report
Attendance: 42,873[12]
France[13]
Argentina[13]
GK1Hugo Lloris (c)
RB2Benjamin Pavard 73'
CB4Raphaël Varane
CB5Samuel Umtiti
LB21Lucas Hernandez
CM13N'Golo Kanté
CM6Paul Pogba
RW10Kylian Mbappé 89'
AM7Antoine Griezmann 83'
LW14Blaise Matuidi 72' 75'
CF9Olivier Giroud 90+3'
Substitutions:
MF12Corentin Tolisso 75'
FW18Nabil Fekir 83'
FW20Florian Thauvin 89'
Manager:
Didier Deschamps
GK12Franco Armani
RB2Gabriel Mercado
CB17Nicolás Otamendi 90+3'
CB16Marcos Rojo 11' 46'
LB3Nicolás Tagliafico 19'
CM15Enzo Pérez 66'
CM14Javier Mascherano 43'
CM7Éver Banega 50'
RF22Cristian Pavón 75'
CF10Lionel Messi (c)
LF11Ángel Di María
Substitutions:
DF6Federico Fazio 46'
FW19Sergio Agüero 66'
MF13Maximiliano Meza 75'
Manager:
Jorge Sampaoli

Man of the Match:
Kylian Mbappé (France)[14]

Assistant referees:[13]
Reza Sokhandan (Iran)
Mohammadreza Mansouri (Iran)
Fourth official:
Julio Bascuñán (Chile)
Reserve assistant referee:
Christian Schiemann (Chile)
Video assistant referee:
Massimiliano Irrati (Italy)
Assistant video assistant referees:
Paweł Gil (Poland)
Carlos Astroza (Chile)
Paolo Valeri (Italy)

Uruguay vs Portugal

The Uruguayan team celebrates after Edinson Cavani scores his team's second goal in the 62nd minute.

The teams had met in two previous matches, most recently in Brazil Independence Cup in 1972, the match ending in a 1–1 draw.[5]

In the seventh minute, Edinson Cavani switched play from right to left with a sweeping pass out to Luis Suárez, who delivered a cross which the former crashed home at the back post from six yards out. In the 55th minute, Raphaël Guerreiro delivered a cross from a short corner on the left, which Pepe finished with a downward header. Just seven minutes later, Rodrigo Bentancur collected the ball around 30 yards out and slipped a pass out to Cavani on the left side of the penalty area, Cavani then shot a curling right-foot strike into the right corner of the net to reclaim the lead for Uruguay. Bernardo Silva shot off-target with the goal gaping after Fernando Muslera's mistake, with Cavani seeming to pick up an injury in the scramble.[15]

Pepe, aged 35 years and 124 days, became Portugal's oldest goal-scorer at a FIFA World Cup.[16] This was the first time Uruguay won their opening four games at a World Cup tournament since 1930, with the fourth game in that run being their 4–2 victory over Argentina in the final.[17]

Uruguay 2–1 Portugal
Report
Uruguay[19]
Portugal[19]
GK1Fernando Muslera
RB22Martín Cáceres
CB2José Giménez
CB3Diego Godín (c)
LB17Diego Laxalt
RM8Nahitan Nández 81'
CM14Lucas Torreira
CM15Matías Vecino
LM6Rodrigo Bentancur 63'
CF9Luis Suárez
CF21Edinson Cavani 74'
Substitutions:
MF7Cristian Rodríguez 63'
FW11Cristhian Stuani 74'
MF5Carlos Sánchez 81'
Manager:
Óscar Tabárez
GK1Rui Patrício
RB15Ricardo Pereira
CB3Pepe
CB6José Fonte
LB5Raphaël Guerreiro
RM11Bernardo Silva
CM14William Carvalho
CM23Adrien Silva 65'
LM10João Mário 84'
CF17Gonçalo Guedes 74'
CF7Cristiano Ronaldo (c) 90+3'
Substitutions:
FW20Ricardo Quaresma 65'
FW9André Silva 74'
MF4Manuel Fernandes 84'
Manager:
Fernando Santos

Man of the Match:
Edinson Cavani (Uruguay)[20]

Assistant referees:[19]
Marvin Torrentera (Mexico)
Miguel Hernández (Mexico)
Fourth official:
Jair Marrufo (United States)
Reserve assistant referee:
Corey Rockwell (United States)
Video assistant referee:
Mark Geiger (United States)
Assistant video assistant referees:
Bastian Dankert (Germany)
Joe Fletcher (Canada)
Danny Makkelie (Netherlands)

Spain vs Russia

Marco Asensio (left) and Roman Zobnin (right) challenge for possession of the ball.

The teams had met in six previous games, most recently in a friendly in 2017, which ended in a 3–3 draw. Playing as the Soviet Union, the teams had faced each other five times.[5] Russia only had one victory over Spain.

In the 12th minute, Marco Asensio's free-kick from deep on the right saw Sergei Ignashevich grappling with Sergio Ramos at the back post, the ball bouncing past Igor Akinfeev off the defender's heel. Russia were then awarded a penalty when Gerard Piqué handled in the box after a corner from the right. Artem Dzyuba shot home to the right of the net from 12 yards to send the sides into half-time level. In the 85th minute, Akinfeev got down low to his right to save a shot from Andrés Iniesta, the goalkeeper then denied Iago Aspas on the rebound. Piqué and Ramos both appeared to be held from a set-piece but, after a VAR check, the referee waved away Spain's appeals. In the penalty shoot-out, Akinfeev kept out a Koke effort and saw Aspas' effort diverted away by his leg to give Russia the win; as all Russia's penalty kicks ended up successful.[21]

This result meant Spain lost three of their four World Cup penalty shoot-outs (after losing to Belgium in 1986, beating the Republic of Ireland in 2002 and losing to South Korea in 2002), and had still never defeated a host nation at the FIFA World Cup, after losing to Italy 0–1 in 1934, Brazil 1–6 in 1950, and South Korea after penalties in 2002.[22] Russia reached the quarter-final of the World Cup for the first time since the break-up of the Soviet Union. Ignashevich became the oldest player to score an own goal at the World Cup, aged 38 years and 352 days.[23] The match marked the first time in the history of the FIFA World Cup in which a fourth substitution was made during extra time, after Aleksandr Yerokhin of Russia entered the pitch in the 97th minute.[24]

Spain 1–1 (a.e.t.) Russia
Report
Penalties
3–4
Spain[26]
Russia[26]
GK1David de Gea
RB4Nacho 70'
CB3Gerard Piqué 40'
CB15Sergio Ramos (c)
LB18Jordi Alba
CM8Koke
CM5Sergio Busquets
RW21David Silva 67'
AM22Isco
LW20Marco Asensio 104'
CF19Diego Costa 80'
Substitutions:
MF6Andrés Iniesta 67'
DF2Dani Carvajal 70'
FW17Iago Aspas 80'
FW9Rodrigo 104'
Manager:
Fernando Hierro
GK1Igor Akinfeev (c)
SW4Sergei Ignashevich
CB3Ilya Kutepov 54'
CB13Fyodor Kudryashov
RWB2Mário Fernandes
LWB18Yuri Zhirkov 46'
CM19Aleksandr Samedov 61'
CM11Roman Zobnin 71'
CM7Daler Kuzyayev 97'
CF22Artem Dzyuba 65'
CF17Aleksandr Golovin
Substitutions:
DF14Vladimir Granat 46'
MF6Denis Cheryshev 61'
FW10Fyodor Smolov 65'
MF21Aleksandr Yerokhin 97'
Manager:
Stanislav Cherchesov

Man of the Match:
Igor Akinfeev (Russia)[27]

Assistant referees:[26]
Sander van Roekel (Netherlands)
Erwin Zeinstra (Netherlands)
Fourth official:
Clément Turpin (France)
Reserve assistant referee:
Nicolas Danos (France)
Video assistant referee:
Danny Makkelie (Netherlands)
Assistant video assistant referees:
Paweł Gil (Poland)
Mark Borsch (Germany)
Felix Zwayer (Germany)

Croatia vs Denmark

The teams had met in five matches, which included two matches played in 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification, the first fixture ending in a 1–1 draw and the reverse fixture a 3–1 Denmark win.[5]

In the first minute, a long throw into the Croatia penalty area by Jonas Knudsen, allowed a run to Thomas Delaney who touched the ball on to Mathias Jørgensen, who side-footed it into the net via deflections off goalkeeper Danijel Subašić and the post. After three minutes, Šime Vrsaljko's ball into the box reached Henrik Dalsgaard, whose clearance hit Andreas Christensen in the face and saw Mario Mandžukić tucking the ball between Kasper Schmeichel and the left post with a shot on the turn from six yards. During extra time, Ante Rebić burst clear of the Denmark defence and was felled by Mathias Jørgensen when he was clean through on goal, only for Schmeichel to save Luka Modrić's spot-kick by diving down to his left and clutching the ball to his chest. In the shoot-out, Subašić tipped off Christian Eriksen's penalty onto the post but Schmeichel saved from Milan Badelj to bring the sides level. Lasse Schöne's shot was saved by Subašić and Josip Pivarić was denied by an acrobatic Schmeichel stop. On the final spot kicks for both the teams, Nicolai Jørgensen took a shot from a staggered run-up which Subašić saved with his feet, before Ivan Rakitić slotted the ball into the bottom left corner of the net.[28][29]

Croatia qualified for their first World Cup quarter-final since 1998.[30]

Croatia[32]
Denmark[32]
GK23Danijel Subašić
RB2Šime Vrsaljko
CB6Dejan Lovren
CB21Domagoj Vida
LB3Ivan Strinić 81'
CM7Ivan Rakitić
CM11Marcelo Brozović 71'
RW18Ante Rebić
AM10Luka Modrić (c)
LW4Ivan Perišić 97'
CF17Mario Mandžukić 108'
Substitutions:
MF8Mateo Kovačić 71'
DF22Josip Pivarić 81'
FW9Andrej Kramarić 97'
MF19Milan Badelj 108'
Manager:
Zlatko Dalić
GK1Kasper Schmeichel
RB5Jonas Knudsen
CB4Simon Kjær (c)
CB13Mathias Jørgensen 115'
LB14Henrik Dalsgaard
CM6Andreas Christensen 46'
CM8Thomas Delaney 98'
CM10Christian Eriksen
RF20Yussuf Poulsen
CF21Andreas Cornelius 66'
LF11Martin Braithwaite 106'
Substitutions:
MF19Lasse Schöne 46'
FW9Nicolai Jørgensen 66'
MF2Michael Krohn-Dehli 98'
FW23Pione Sisto 106'
Manager:
Åge Hareide

Man of the Match:
Kasper Schmeichel (Denmark)[33]

Assistant referees:[32]
Hernán Maidana (Argentina)
Juan Pablo Belatti (Argentina)
Fourth official:
Enrique Cáceres (Paraguay)
Reserve assistant referee:
Eduardo Cardozo (Paraguay)
Video assistant referee:
Mauro Vigliano (Argentina)
Assistant video assistant referees:
Gery Vargas (Bolivia)
Roberto Díaz Pérez (Spain)
Daniele Orsato (Italy)

Brazil vs Mexico

The teams had met in 40 previous matches including two games at CONCACAF Gold Cup finals (1996 and 2003, both won by Mexico), the 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup Final (won 4–3 by Mexico), and four times in the FIFA World Cup group stage, three won by Brazil and one ending in a draw (4–0 in 1950, 5–0 in 1954, 2–0 in 1962 and 0–0 in 2014).[5]

Hirving Lozano's half-volley was well blocked by Miranda, while at the other end, Guillermo Ochoa saved Neymar's drive from just outside the penalty area. After 25 minutes, Neymar raced past Edson Álvarez in the area and forced Ochoa into a save with his left hand. Gabriel Jesus went close in the 33rd minute, finding space in a crowded area and drilling in a left-footed strike that Ochoa palmed away. In the 51st minute, Neymar's back-heel on the edge of the area teed up Willian for a burst into the box and his scuffed cross from the left was slid into an empty net by Neymar from close range. With two minutes remaining, Neymar powered through on the left and his low effort was diverted by Ochoa's foot into the path of Roberto Firmino, who tapped the ball into an empty net from close range.[34][35]

Since the introduction of the round of 16 in 1986, Mexico were eliminated at this stage of the World Cup seven times – more than twice as many as any other nation.[36] This was also Mexico's fourth defeat on the hand of Brazil, and moreover, Mexico had never scored a single goal against Brazil in the FIFA World Cup.

Brazil 2–0 Mexico
Report
Attendance: 41,970[37]
Brazil[38]
Mexico[38]
GK1Alisson
RB22Fagner
CB2Thiago Silva (c)
CB3Miranda
LB6Filipe Luís 43'
CM15Paulinho 80'
CM5Casemiro 59'
RW19Willian 90+1'
AM11Philippe Coutinho 86'
LW10Neymar
CF9Gabriel Jesus
Substitutions:
MF17Fernandinho 80'
FW20Roberto Firmino 86'
DF13Marquinhos 90+1'
Manager:
Tite
GK13Guillermo Ochoa
RB21Edson Álvarez 38' 55'
CB2Hugo Ayala
CB3Carlos Salcedo 77'
LB23Jesús Gallardo
CM16Héctor Herrera 55'
CM4Rafael Márquez (c) 46'
CM18Andrés Guardado 90+2'
RF11Carlos Vela
CF14Javier Hernández 60'
LF22Hirving Lozano
Substitutions:
MF7Miguel Layún 46'
MF6Jonathan dos Santos 55'
FW9Raúl Jiménez 60'
Manager:
Juan Carlos Osorio

Man of the Match:
Neymar (Brazil)[39]

Assistant referees:[38]
Elenito Di Liberatore (Italy)
Mauro Tonolini (Italy)
Fourth official:
Antonio Mateu Lahoz (Spain)
Reserve assistant referee:
Pau Cebrián Devís (Spain)
Video assistant referee:
Massimiliano Irrati (Italy)
Assistant video assistant referees:
Paweł Gil (Poland)
Carlos Astroza (Chile)
Daniele Orsato (Italy)

Belgium vs Japan

Belgium center back Jan Vertonghen in possession of the ball during the match.

The teams had faced each other in 5 previous matches, including one World Cup group stage match in 2002, which ended in a 2–2 draw. Their most recent meeting came in a friendly in 2017, a 1–0 Belgium win and also Belgium's first victory over Japan.[5]

In the 48th minute, Gaku Shibasaki slipped a pass through to Genki Haraguchi, who rifled a shot across Thibaut Courtois from the right which went into the left corner of the net. After 4 minutes, Japan scored a second, Shinji Kagawa collecting a loose ball and feeding Takashi Inui, the midfielder working himself a yard of space before arrowing home from 25-yards into the bottom right corner of the net. Jan Vertonghen's looping header from the left eluded goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima and landed in the right corner of the net after a corner caused chaos in the Japan penalty area – and five minutes later they were back on level terms. Eden Hazard twisted and turned to create space on the left wing, his cross delivered for Marouane Fellaini to climb above his marker and crash in a downward header. In the last minute of stoppage time, Courtois found Kevin De Bruyne with a long throw, who freed Thomas Meunier with a pass, Meunier squared a low cross from the right and, when Romelu Lukaku dummied the ball, substitute Nacer Chadli was on hand to complete the comeback for Belgium with a low finish.[40][41]

Belgium became the first team to come from two or more goals down to win a World Cup knockout stage match within 90 minutes since Portugal beat North Korea in the 1966 quarter-final (3–0 down, 5–3 win). Japan scored six goals at Russia 2018, their highest ever tally in a single World Cup tournament. Belgium reached the World Cup quarter-finals in successive tournaments for the first time.[42]

Belgium 3–2 Japan
Report
Belgium[44]
Japan[44]
GK1Thibaut Courtois
CB2Toby Alderweireld
CB4Vincent Kompany
CB5Jan Vertonghen
RM15Thomas Meunier
CM7Kevin De Bruyne
CM6Axel Witsel
LM11Yannick Carrasco 65'
RF14Dries Mertens 65'
CF9Romelu Lukaku
LF10Eden Hazard (c)
Substitutions:
MF8Marouane Fellaini 65'
MF22Nacer Chadli 65'
Manager:
Roberto Martínez
GK1Eiji Kawashima
RB19Hiroki Sakai
CB22Maya Yoshida
CB3Gen Shoji
LB5Yuto Nagatomo
CM17Makoto Hasebe (c)
CM7Gaku Shibasaki 40' 81'
RW8Genki Haraguchi 81'
AM10Shinji Kagawa
LW14Takashi Inui
CF15Yuya Osako
Substitutions:
MF16Hotaru Yamaguchi 81'
MF4Keisuke Honda 81'
Manager:
Akira Nishino

Man of the Match:
Eden Hazard (Belgium)[45]

Assistant referees:[44]
Djibril Camara (Senegal)
El Hadji Samba (Senegal)
Fourth official:
Bakary Gassama (Gambia)
Reserve assistant referee:
Jean Claude Birumushahu (Burundi)
Video assistant referee:
Felix Zwayer (Germany)
Assistant video assistant referees:
Clément Turpin (France)
Mark Borsch (Germany)
Danny Makkelie (Netherlands)

Sweden vs Switzerland

Marcus Berg (left) attempts to take possession of the ball away from Johan Djourou (right).

The teams had faced each other in 28 previous matches, which included three matches in 1962 FIFA World Cup qualification, Switzerland winning twice (3–2 and 2–1) and Sweden winning once (4–0), and also twice in 1978 FIFA World Cup qualification, both matches ending in a 2–1 Sweden win.[5]

Stephan Lichtsteiner and Fabian Schär were both ruled out through suspension. Albin Ekdal's volley missed the target prior to the break from a Mikael Lustig cross. Ola Toivonen fired over when well positioned inside the penalty area before Emil Forsberg finally broke the deadlock, his right foot shot from just outside the penalty area clipping Manuel Akanji to beat Yann Sommer. Switzerland sent on forwards Breel Embolo and Haris Seferović, and the latter tested Sweden goalkeeper Robin Olsen with a header in the closing stages. Sweden were denied the chance to double their lead from the spot following Michael Lang's late dismissal for taking out Martin Olsson, with Sommer beating away Toivonen's driven free-kick after a lengthy delay.[46][47]

Sweden qualified for their first World Cup quarter-final since 1994. Sweden won back-to-back World Cup matches for the first time since 1958, when they won the quarter-final and semi-final on their way to the final as host nation that year. Olsen kept his third clean sheets of the 2018 World Cup, a joint-record for a Swedish goalkeeper in World Cup finals history (also three clean sheets for Ronnie Hellström in 1974 and Kalle Svensson in 1958).[48]

Sweden 1–0  Switzerland
Report
Sweden[50]
Switzerland[50]
GK1Robin Olsen
RB2Mikael Lustig 31' 82'
CB3Victor Lindelöf
CB4Andreas Granqvist (c)
LB6Ludwig Augustinsson
RM17Viktor Claesson
CM13Gustav Svensson
CM8Albin Ekdal
LM10Emil Forsberg 82'
CF9Marcus Berg 90+1'
CF20Ola Toivonen
Substitutions:
DF5Martin Olsson 82'
DF16Emil Krafth 82'
FW22Isaac Kiese Thelin 90+1'
Manager:
Janne Andersson
GK1Yann Sommer
RB6Michael Lang 90+4'
CB20Johan Djourou
CB5Manuel Akanji
LB13Ricardo Rodríguez
CM11Valon Behrami (c) 61'
CM10Granit Xhaka 68'
RW23Xherdan Shaqiri
AM15Blerim Džemaili 73'
LW14Steven Zuber 73'
CF19Josip Drmić
Substitutions:
FW7Breel Embolo 73'
FW9Haris Seferović 73'
Manager:
Vladimir Petković

Man of the Match:
Emil Forsberg (Sweden)[51]

Assistant referees:[50]
Jure Praprotnik (Slovenia)
Robert Vukan (Slovenia)
Fourth official:
Nawaf Shukralla (Bahrain)
Reserve assistant referee:
Yaser Tulefat (Bahrain)
Video assistant referee:
Daniele Orsato (Italy)
Assistant video assistant referees:
Bastian Dankert (Germany)
Roberto Díaz Pérez (Spain)
Massimiliano Irrati (Italy)

Colombia vs England

Eric Dier scores the winning goal in England's first World Cup penalty shoot-out victory, having lost thrice before.

The teams had faced each other in five previous matches, including one World Cup group stage match in 1998, a 2–0 England win. Their most recent meeting came in a friendly in 2005, a 3–2 England win.[5]

In the 16th minute, Harry Kane arrived beyond the back post to meet a Kieran Trippier cross, but was unable to direct his header on target. Wílmar Barrios was booked when he appeared to headbutt Jordan Henderson in the build-up to a free-kick Trippier bent narrowly wide. Colombia gave away a penalty early in the second half when Carlos Sánchez dragged Kane down in the box after a corner from the right. Kane scored from 12 yards, shooting down the middle to give England the lead. Colombia forced their way into extra time, Yerry Mina scoring a downward header from a Juan Cuadrado corner from the right in injury time. Eric Dier scored the final penalty in the shoot-out, with England coming back from 3–2 down after Mateus Uribe and Carlos Bacca failed to convert their spot-kicks.[52][53]

This was the first time that England had won a penalty shoot-out at the FIFA World Cup, and only the second time they had won on penalties at any major tournament (the previous occasion being against Spain at Euro 1996). Kane became the first player to score in six consecutive England appearances since Tommy Lawton did so in 1939. England conceded in injury time at the end of the second half for the first time in World Cup history, with Mina's goal coming after 92 minutes and 33 seconds.[54]

Colombia 1–1 (a.e.t.) England
Report
Penalties
3–4
Attendance: 44,190[55]
Colombia[56]
England[56]
GK1David Ospina
RB4Santiago Arias 52' 116'
CB13Yerry Mina
CB23Davinson Sánchez
LB17Johan Mojica
CM5Wílmar Barrios 41'
CM6Carlos Sánchez 54' 79'
CM16Jefferson Lerma 61'
RW11Juan Cuadrado 118'
LW20Juan Fernando Quintero 88'
CF9Radamel Falcao (c) 63'
Substitutions:
FW7Carlos Bacca 64' 61'
MF15Mateus Uribe 79'
FW14Luis Muriel 88'
DF2Cristián Zapata 116'
Manager:
José Pékerman
GK1Jordan Pickford
CB2Kyle Walker 113'
CB5John Stones
CB6Harry Maguire
DM8Jordan Henderson 56'
CM20Dele Alli 81'
CM7Jesse Lingard 69'
RM12Kieran Trippier
LM18Ashley Young 102'
CF10Raheem Sterling 88'
CF9Harry Kane (c)
Substitutions:
MF4Eric Dier 81'
FW11Jamie Vardy 88'
DF3Danny Rose 102'
FW19Marcus Rashford 113'
Manager:
Gareth Southgate

Man of the Match:
Harry Kane (England)[57]

Assistant referees:[56]
Joe Fletcher (Canada)
Frank Anderson (United States)
Fourth official:
Matthew Conger (New Zealand)
Reserve assistant referee:
Tevita Makasini (Tonga)
Video assistant referee:
Danny Makkelie (Netherlands)
Assistant video assistant referees:
Paweł Gil (Poland)
Carlos Astroza (Chile)
Mauro Vigliano (Argentina)

Quarter-finals

Uruguay vs France

The teams had met in eight previous matches including three times in the FIFA World Cup group stage, one won by Uruguay and the other two ending in a draw (2–1 in 1966, 0–0 in 2002 and 0–0 in 2010).[5]

In the 15th minute, after latching on to Olivier Giroud's knockdown in the box, Kylian Mbappé headed the ball over Fernando Muslera's crossbar. Five minutes before the break, Antoine Griezmann's inswinging free kick from the right was met by Raphaël Varane, who headed the ball into the bottom left corner. Four minutes later, Martín Cáceres' header was saved by Hugo Lloris low to his right and Diego Godín shot the rebound over. In the 61st minute, Griezmann's left footed shot from outside the penalty area slipped through Muslera's hands and into the net as France doubled their lead.[58] Mbappé went down softly under a challenge from Cristian Rodríguez, prompting angry confrontations involving Godín, Nahitan Nández and Paul Pogba. In the 73rd minute, Corentin Tolisso's shot curled over, while Griezmann also flashed a late free-kick over the top.[59]

France became only the second team to beat three different South American sides in a single World Cup tournament, after the Netherlands in 1974. This victory marked France's 10th game unbeaten in World Cup matches against South American sides (6 wins and 4 draws), since a 2–1 loss against Argentina in 1978 – the joint longest run alongside Italy (1982 to 2010).[60]

Uruguay 0–2 France
Report
Uruguay[62]
France[62]
GK1Fernando Muslera
RB22Martín Cáceres
CB2José Giménez
CB3Diego Godín (c)
LB17Diego Laxalt
RM8Nahitan Nández 73'
CM14Lucas Torreira
CM15Matías Vecino
LM6Rodrigo Bentancur 38' 59'
CF9Luis Suárez
CF11Cristhian Stuani 59'
Substitutions:
FW18Maxi Gómez 59'
MF7Cristian Rodríguez 69' 59'
FW20Jonathan Urretaviscaya 73'
Manager:
Óscar Tabárez
GK1Hugo Lloris (c)
RB2Benjamin Pavard
CB4Raphaël Varane
CB5Samuel Umtiti
LB21Lucas Hernandez 33'
CM6Paul Pogba
CM13N'Golo Kanté
RW10Kylian Mbappé 69' 88'
AM7Antoine Griezmann 90+3'
LW12Corentin Tolisso 80'
CF9Olivier Giroud
Substitutions:
MF15Steven Nzonzi 80'
FW11Ousmane Dembélé 88'
FW18Nabil Fekir 90+3'
Manager:
Didier Deschamps

Man of the Match:
Antoine Griezmann (France)[63]

Assistant referees:[62]
Hernán Maidana (Argentina)
Juan Pablo Belatti (Argentina)
Fourth official:
Alireza Faghani (Iran)
Reserve assistant referee:
Reza Sokhandan (Iran)
Video assistant referee:
Massimiliano Irrati (Italy)
Assistant video assistant referees:
Mauro Vigliano (Argentina)
Carlos Astroza (Chile)
Paolo Valeri (Italy)

Brazil vs Belgium

Belgium forward Kevin De Bruyne celebrating after the conclusion of the match.

The teams had met in four previous matches. Their most recent meeting came in a World Cup knockout stage match in 2002, Brazil winning 2–0 to advance to the quarter-finals. That match was also the only time the two sides had previously met in a World Cup.[5]

Belgium scored from their first corner of the game in the 13th minute; Vincent Kompany flicked on Nacer Chadli's delivery, but the decisive touch came from Fernandinho, who turned the ball past Alisson via his arm. Belgium doubled their lead by breaking from a Brazil corner in the 31st minute, with Kevin De Bruyne arrowing a right foot drive across Alisson and into the left corner of the net from the edge of the penalty area after Romelu Lukaku collected the ball, turned and embarked on a 40-yard run with a pass at the end to free De Bruyne. Brazil's third change yielded a goal three minutes and 14 seconds after his introduction, Renato Augusto gliding between two Belgium defenders to nod a flicked header past Thibaut Courtois from a Philippe Coutinho cross. Coutinho's first-time shot flew wide and yet another Neymar penalty appeal was rejected, before he drew a fingertip save from Courtois in the 94th minute.[64]

De Bruyne became the 100th player to score at the 2018 World Cup (excluding own goals).[65] Belgium reached the World Cup semi-finals for only the second time, with them losing out to eventual winners Argentina in 1986. Belgium's victory was only their second ever against Brazil, and first since a 1963 friendly match in Brussels.[66] This was the first time in 30 matches in all competitions that Brazil had conceded more than once in a game, since a 2–2 draw with Paraguay in March 2016.[64]

Brazil 1–2 Belgium
Report
Attendance: 42,873[67]
Brazil[68]
Belgium[68]
GK1Alisson
RB22Fagner 90'
CB2Thiago Silva
CB3Miranda (c)
LB12Marcelo
CM15Paulinho 73'
CM17Fernandinho 85'
RW19Willian 46'
AM11Philippe Coutinho
LW10Neymar
CF9Gabriel Jesus 58'
Substitutions:
FW20Roberto Firmino 46'
FW7Douglas Costa 58'
MF8Renato Augusto 73'
Manager:
Tite
GK1Thibaut Courtois
CB2Toby Alderweireld 47'
CB4Vincent Kompany
CB5Jan Vertonghen
RM15Thomas Meunier 71'
CM8Marouane Fellaini
CM6Axel Witsel
LM22Nacer Chadli 83'
RF7Kevin De Bruyne
CF9Romelu Lukaku 87'
LF10Eden Hazard (c)
Substitutions:
DF3Thomas Vermaelen 83'
MF17Youri Tielemans 87'
Manager:
Roberto Martínez

Man of the Match:
Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium)[69]

Assistant referees:[68]
Milovan Ristić (Serbia)
Dalibor Đurđević (Serbia)
Fourth official:
Jair Marrufo (United States)
Reserve assistant referee:
Corey Rockwell (United States)
Video assistant referee:
Daniele Orsato (Italy)
Assistant video assistant referees:
Paweł Gil (Poland)
Mark Borsch (Germany)
Felix Zwayer (Germany)

Sweden vs England

The teams had faced each other in 23 previous matches, including two times in the group stage of the World Cup, both matches ending in a draw (1–1 in 2002 and 2–2 in 2006). Their most recent meeting came in a friendly in 2012, a 4–2 Sweden win.[5]

England took the lead in the 30th minute, Ashley Young's outswinging corner from the left finding Harry Maguire, goalkeeper Robin Olsen and Ola Toivonen on the line unable to stop the defender's downward header. Olsen did well with a strong hand to deny Raheem Sterling, who dallied with the rebound and allowed Andreas Granqvist to make a vital block. Shortly after the restart, Jordan Pickford dived to his left to palm away a header from Marcus Berg, who climbed above Young at the back post. In the 58th minute, another England set-piece caused chaos and, although Sweden initially cleared their lines when Jesse Lingard delivered a cross from the right to the back post, Dele Alli was there to double his side's advantage with a header. John Guidetti teed up strike partner Berg in the 71st minute, but Pickford tipped the effort over the crossbar.[70]

Alli's goal was England's 11th at the 2018 World Cup, equalling the country's record of most goals at a single World Cup set in 1966.[71] Alli became the second youngest player to score for England at the World Cup (22 years and 87 days), behind only Michael Owen (18 years and 190 days against Romania in 1998). Maguire became the first defender to score the opening England goal in a World Cup knockout match since Rio Ferdinand in 2002 against Denmark. Pickford made three saves in the match and became the youngest England goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet in a World Cup match (24 years and 122 days).[72] England qualified for their first World Cup semi-final since 1990.[73]

Sweden 0–2 England
Report
Attendance: 39,991[74]
Sweden[75]
England[75]
GK1Robin Olsen
RB16Emil Krafth 85'
CB3Victor Lindelöf
CB4Andreas Granqvist (c)
LB6Ludwig Augustinsson
RM17Viktor Claesson
CM7Sebastian Larsson 90+4'
CM8Albin Ekdal
LM10Emil Forsberg 65'
CF9Marcus Berg
CF20Ola Toivonen 65'
Substitutions:
FW11John Guidetti 87' 65'
DF5Martin Olsson 65'
DF18Pontus Jansson 85'
Manager:
Janne Andersson
GK1Jordan Pickford
CB2Kyle Walker
CB5John Stones
CB6Harry Maguire 87'
DM8Jordan Henderson 85'
CM20Dele Alli 77'
CM7Jesse Lingard
RM12Kieran Trippier
LM18Ashley Young
CF10Raheem Sterling 90+1'
CF9Harry Kane (c)
Substitutions:
DF17Fabian Delph 77'
MF4Eric Dier 85'
FW19Marcus Rashford 90+1'
Manager:
Gareth Southgate

Man of the Match:
Jordan Pickford (England)[76]

Assistant referees:[75]
Sander van Roekel (Netherlands)
Erwin Zeinstra (Netherlands)
Fourth official:
Antonio Mateu Lahoz (Spain)
Reserve assistant referee:
Pau Cebrián Devís (Spain)
Video assistant referee:
Danny Makkelie (Netherlands)
Assistant video assistant referees:
Bastian Dankert (Germany)
Carlos Astroza (Chile)
Felix Zwayer (Germany)

Russia vs Croatia

Mario Mandžukić (left) makes a cross to Andrej Kramarić (off screen to right), who would then head the ball into the goal to equalise in the 39th minute.

The teams had faced each other in three previous matches. Their most recent meeting came in a friendly in 2015, a 3–1 Croatia win.[5]

In the 31st minute, Denis Cheryshev came in from the left and, after a one-two with Artem Dzyuba, skipped away from Luka Modrić to curl a left foot effort beyond Danijel Subašić and into the left of the net. Six minutes before half-time, Mario Mandžukić advanced down the left to set up the chance for Andrej Kramarić to head home the equaliser. In the first period of extra time, Croatia took the lead as Domagoj Vida nodded down past Igor Akinfeev and into the right corner of the net after a corner from the right. Mário Fernandes drew his team level, converting Alan Dzagoev's free-kick with a glancing header to the left corner of the net after a free-kick from the right. Penalties were required and while Fyodor Smolov's Panenka attempt with the first effort was foiled by Subašić, parity was restored when Akinfeev got down to his left to keep out Mateo Kovačić's second kick for Croatia. After Fernandes' failure, Modrić's strike found the net, following touches off Akinfeev's glove and the post. The decisive penalty fell to Ivan Rakitić, who rolled the ball into the bottom-left corner to give Croatia the win.[77]

Russia became the first country in World Cup history to contest two shoot-outs while hosting the event.[78] There were three headed goals in this match – the most in a World Cup match since Germany's 8–0 win over Saudi Arabia in 2002 (5 headers).[79] Croatia became the second team to win two penalty shootouts at a single World Cup tournament – the other was Argentina in 1990 (against Yugoslavia and Italy). Croatia qualified for the semi-final for the first time since 1998 (their first World Cup tournament).[80]

Russia[82]
Croatia[82]
GK1Igor Akinfeev (c)
RB2Mário Fernandes
CB3Ilya Kutepov
CB4Sergei Ignashevich
LB13Fyodor Kudryashov
CM11Roman Zobnin
CM7Daler Kuzyayev
RW19Aleksandr Samedov 54'
AM17Aleksandr Golovin 102'
LW6Denis Cheryshev 67'
CF22Artem Dzyuba 79'
Substitutions:
MF21Aleksandr Yerokhin 54'
FW10Fyodor Smolov 67'
MF8Yury Gazinsky 109' 79'
MF9Alan Dzagoev 102'
Manager:
Stanislav Cherchesov
GK23Danijel Subašić
RB2Šime Vrsaljko 97'
CB6Dejan Lovren 35'
CB21Domagoj Vida 101'
LB3Ivan Strinić 38' 74'
CM7Ivan Rakitić
CM10Luka Modrić (c)
RW18Ante Rebić
AM9Andrej Kramarić 88'
LW4Ivan Perišić 63'
CF17Mario Mandžukić
Substitutions:
MF11Marcelo Brozović 63'
DF22Josip Pivarić 114' 74'
MF8Mateo Kovačić 88'
DF5Vedran Ćorluka 97'
Manager:
Zlatko Dalić

Man of the Match:
Luka Modrić (Croatia)[83]

Assistant referees:[82]
Emerson de Carvalho (Brazil)
Marcelo Van Gasse (Brazil)
Fourth official:
Janny Sikazwe (Zambia)
Reserve assistant referee:
Jerson Dos Santos (Angola)
Video assistant referee:
Massimiliano Irrati (Italy)
Assistant video assistant referees:
Wilton Sampaio (Brazil)
Roberto Díaz Pérez (Spain)
Paolo Valeri (Italy)

Semi-finals

For the first time since 1966, all multiple World Cup winners were eliminated before the semi-final stage. This was only the second time that neither Brazil nor Germany were in the last four, the other being the inaugural 1930 tournament. With Uruguay and Brazil eliminated in the quarter-finals, an all-European semi-final line up was completed for the fifth time (after the 1934, 1966, 1982, and 2006 tournaments). This also ensured that a European side would win the World Cup for the fourth tournament in a row.[84]

France vs Belgium

The teams had faced each other in 73 previous matches, including two times in the World Cup, France winning both matches (3–1 in the round of 16 in 1938 and 4–2 in the third place play-off in 1986). Their most recent meeting came in a friendly in 2015, a 4–3 Belgium win.[5]

Eden Hazard twice went close, narrowly missing the target with a low, left-footed drive before seeing a curler with his right deflected over the crossbar by the head of Raphaël Varane. Hugo Lloris' full-length dive kept out a first-time strike on the turn from Toby Alderweireld, while Thibaut Courtois blocked Benjamin Pavard's attempt from a tight angle on the right at the other end. Six minutes after the break, Vincent Kompany's block turned away Olivier Giroud's shot, and Antoine Griezmann's inswinging delivery from the right to the front post was turned in by Samuel Umtiti, who outjumped his marker, Marouane Fellaini, to head beyond Courtois. Dries Mertens's cross from the right flank saw Fellaini narrowly miss the target with a header. Axel Witsel's long-range drive was pushed away by Lloris as France secured their place into the final.[85]

With this match, it meant Didier Deschamps managed more games for France at the World Cup than any other previous France manager, overtaking Raymond Domenech and Michel Hidalgo.[86] This was Belgium's first defeat of any kind since a friendly loss against Spain in September 2016. France reached their third World Cup final, also doing so in 1998 and 2006. Only Germany (8) and Italy (6) had reached more among European nations.[87]

France 1–0 Belgium
Report
France[89]
Belgium[89]
GK1Hugo Lloris (c)
RB2Benjamin Pavard
CB4Raphaël Varane
CB5Samuel Umtiti
LB21Lucas Hernandez
CM6Paul Pogba
CM13N'Golo Kanté 87'
RW10Kylian Mbappé 90+3'
AM7Antoine Griezmann
LW14Blaise Matuidi 86'
CF9Olivier Giroud 85'
Substitutions:
MF15Steven Nzonzi 85'
MF12Corentin Tolisso 86'
Manager:
Didier Deschamps
GK1Thibaut Courtois
CB2Toby Alderweireld 71'
CB4Vincent Kompany
CB5Jan Vertonghen 90+4'
DM6Axel Witsel
CM19Mousa Dembélé 60'
CM8Marouane Fellaini 80'
RM22Nacer Chadli 90+1'
LM7Kevin De Bruyne
CF9Romelu Lukaku
CF10Eden Hazard (c) 63'
Substitutions:
FW14Dries Mertens 60'
MF11Yannick Carrasco 80'
FW21Michy Batshuayi 90+1'
Manager:
Roberto Martínez

Man of the Match:
Samuel Umtiti (France)[90]

Assistant referees:[89]
Nicolás Tarán (Uruguay)
Mauricio Espinosa (Uruguay)
Fourth official:
César Arturo Ramos (Mexico)
Reserve assistant referee:
Marvin Torrentera (Mexico)
Video assistant referee:
Massimiliano Irrati (Italy)
Assistant video assistant referees:
Mauro Vigliano (Argentina)
Roberto Díaz Pérez (Spain)
Paolo Valeri (Italy)

Croatia vs England

The Croatian team and their supporters celebrate after Ivan Perišić's equalising goal in the 68th minute.

The teams had faced each other in seven previous matches, which included two matches played in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification, England winning on both occasions (4–1 and 5–1).[5]

Luka Modrić stopped a Dele Alli run, by fouling him at the edge of the area. Kieran Trippier found the top right corner of the net from the resulting free kick with his right foot. Harry Kane nearly doubled England's lead, but his close range shot deflected off Danijel Subašić's foot and onto the post. After half-time, Ivan Perišić met Šime Vrsaljko's deep cross from the right at head height with a flying, left-footed finish to the left of the net. Soon after, Perišić shot against the right-hand post from the left before Ante Rebić put the rebound into Jordan Pickford's hands. In extra-time, John Stones had a header cleared off the line by Vrsaljko in the 98th minute. Pickford at the other end, denied Mario Mandžukić at point-blank range after the striker met Perišić's cross from the left. But Mandžukić came out on top soon after the break, latching on to Perišić's headed pass on the left and sending a left-footed effort across Pickford to find the bottom-right corner, securing Croatia's entrance into their first ever World Cup final.[91]

Croatia became the first team to avoid defeat after trailing in three knockout matches at a single World Cup. They became the 13th different nation to reach a World Cup final.[92] Trippier became the first player to score a direct free-kick for England at the World Cup since David Beckham in 2006 against Ecuador. Trippier's goal after four minutes and 44 seconds was the fastest goal scored in a World Cup semi-final since 1958 (Vavá after two minutes for Brazil v France) and was England's 12th goal in Russia, their most in a single World Cup. Croatia became the first team to play extra time in three consecutive World Cup matches since England in 1990. England scored nine goals from set-pieces at the 2018 World Cup – the most by a team in a single World Cup tournament since 1966.[93]

Croatia 2–1 (a.e.t.) England
Report
Attendance: 78,011[94]
Croatia[95]
England[95]
GK23Danijel Subašić
RB2Šime Vrsaljko
CB6Dejan Lovren
CB21Domagoj Vida
LB3Ivan Strinić 95'
CM7Ivan Rakitić
CM11Marcelo Brozović
RW18Ante Rebić 96' 101'
AM10Luka Modrić (c) 119'
LW4Ivan Perišić
CF17Mario Mandžukić 48' 115'
Substitutions:
DF22Josip Pivarić 95'
FW9Andrej Kramarić 101'
DF5Vedran Ćorluka 115'
MF19Milan Badelj 119'
Manager:
Zlatko Dalić
GK1Jordan Pickford
CB2Kyle Walker 54' 112'
CB5John Stones
CB6Harry Maguire
DM8Jordan Henderson 97'
CM20Dele Alli
CM7Jesse Lingard
RM12Kieran Trippier
LM18Ashley Young 91'
CF10Raheem Sterling 74'
CF9Harry Kane (c)
Substitutions:
FW19Marcus Rashford 74'
DF3Danny Rose 91'
MF4Eric Dier 97'
FW11Jamie Vardy 112'
Manager:
Gareth Southgate

Man of the Match:
Ivan Perišić (Croatia)[96]

Assistant referees:[95]
Bahattin Duran (Turkey)
Tarık Ongun (Turkey)
Fourth official:
Björn Kuipers (Netherlands)
Reserve assistant referee:
Sander van Roekel (Netherlands)
Video assistant referee:
Danny Makkelie (Netherlands)
Assistant video assistant referees:
Bastian Dankert (Germany)
Carlos Astroza (Chile)
Felix Zwayer (Germany)

Third place play-off

The two teams had met in 22 matches, including three matches at the World Cup, one round of 16 game at the 1990 FIFA World Cup which ended in a 1–0 victory for England, one group stage game at the 1954 FIFA World Cup which ended in a 4–4 draw and their most recent encounter in Group G of this tournament which Belgium won 1–0.[5]

After four minutes, Thomas Meunier raced into the box to get across Danny Rose and tucked home Nacer Chadli's low cross in from the left from six yards out. Harry Kane scuffed wide of the left post, from a Raheem Sterling lay-off. In the 70th minute, Eric Dier burst through for a one-on-one and dinked over Thibaut Courtois, only to see a retreating Toby Alderweireld hack the ball off the line. Jordan Pickford made a one-handed save to deny Meunier in the 80th minute. Eden Hazard scored the second with a near-post finish with his right foot, having been sent clean through by Kevin De Bruyne.[97]

Meunier was the 10th player to score for Belgium at the 2018 World Cup. No other team had more, equalling France in 1982 and Italy in 2006.[98] This became Belgium's best finish at a World Cup, having previously finished fourth in 1986. This was England's 100th match at a major tournament – 69 at the World Cup and 31 at the European Championship. Since 1966, no player had been involved in more World Cup goals for Belgium than Hazard (seven – three goals and four assists), level with Jan Ceulemans (also four goals and three assists).[99]

Belgium 2–0 England
Report
Belgium[101]
England[101]
GK1Thibaut Courtois
CB2Toby Alderweireld
CB4Vincent Kompany
CB5Jan Vertonghen
RM15Thomas Meunier
CM17Youri Tielemans 78'
CM6Axel Witsel 90+3'
LM22Nacer Chadli 39'
RF7Kevin De Bruyne
CF9Romelu Lukaku 60'
LF10Eden Hazard (c)
Substitutions:
DF3Thomas Vermaelen 39'
FW14Dries Mertens 60'
MF19Mousa Dembélé 78'
Manager:
Roberto Martínez
GK1Jordan Pickford
CB16Phil Jones
CB5John Stones 52'
CB6Harry Maguire 76'
DM4Eric Dier
CM21Ruben Loftus-Cheek 84'
CM17Fabian Delph
RM12Kieran Trippier
LM3Danny Rose 46'
CF10Raheem Sterling 46'
CF9Harry Kane (c)
Substitutions:
MF7Jesse Lingard 46'
FW19Marcus Rashford 46'
MF20Dele Alli 84'
Manager:
Gareth Southgate

Man of the Match:
Eden Hazard (Belgium)[102]

Assistant referees:[101]
Reza Sokhandan (Iran)
Mohammadreza Mansouri (Iran)
Fourth official:
Malang Diedhiou (Senegal)
Reserve assistant referee:
Djibril Camara (Senegal)
Video assistant referee:
Mark Geiger (United States)
Assistant video assistant referees:
Bastian Dankert (Germany)
Joe Fletcher (Canada)
Paolo Valeri (Italy)

Final

The match was the sixth meeting between France and Croatia, with France undefeated in the previous fixtures with three wins and two draws. The two sides first met in the 1998 World Cup semi-final, with hosts France winning 2–1. Their only other competitive meeting was during the group stage of Euro 2004, which finished as a 2–2 draw. Their next and most recent meeting was in a March 2011 friendly match, which finished as a 0–0 draw.[5]

France 4–2 Croatia
Report
France[104]
Croatia[104]
GK1Hugo Lloris (c)
RB2Benjamin Pavard
CB4Raphaël Varane
CB5Samuel Umtiti
LB21Lucas Hernandez 41'
CM6Paul Pogba
CM13N'Golo Kanté 27' 55'
RW10Kylian Mbappé
AM7Antoine Griezmann
LW14Blaise Matuidi 73'
CF9Olivier Giroud 81'
Substitutions:
MF15Steven Nzonzi 55'
MF12Corentin Tolisso 73'
FW18Nabil Fekir 81'
Manager:
Didier Deschamps
GK23Danijel Subašić
RB2Šime Vrsaljko 90+2'
CB6Dejan Lovren
CB21Domagoj Vida
LB3Ivan Strinić 81'
CM7Ivan Rakitić
CM11Marcelo Brozović
RW18Ante Rebić 71'
AM10Luka Modrić (c)
LW4Ivan Perišić
CF17Mario Mandžukić
Substitutions:
FW9Andrej Kramarić 71'
FW20Marko Pjaca 81'
Manager:
Zlatko Dalić

Man of the Match:
Antoine Griezmann (France)[105]

Assistant referees:[104]
Hernán Maidana (Argentina)
Juan Pablo Belatti (Argentina)
Fourth official:
Björn Kuipers (Netherlands)
Reserve assistant referee:
Erwin Zeinstra (Netherlands)
Video assistant referee:
Massimiliano Irrati (Italy)
Assistant video assistant referees:
Mauro Vigliano (Argentina)
Carlos Astroza (Chile)
Danny Makkelie (Netherlands)

References

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  3. "Formidable France secure second title". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 15 July 2018. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
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  8. Steinberg, Jacob (30 June 2018). "Guardian France 4 Argetina 3". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 10 July 2018.
  9. Liew, Jonathan (30 June 2018). "Why France vs Argentina was one of the greatest World Cup games of all time". The Independent. Archived from the original on 10 July 2018.
  10. "France into quarter-finals after seven-goal thriller". FIFA.com. 30 June 2018. Archived from the original on 4 July 2018.
  11. "Pavard's stunner voted Hyundai Goal of the Tournament". FIFA. 25 July 2018. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
  12. "Match report – Round of 16 – France v Argentina" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 30 June 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 July 2018. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
  13. "Tactical Line-up – Round of 16 – France v Argentina" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 30 June 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 July 2018. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
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