The French bounced back from losing the Euro 2016 final by doing one better at the World Cup in Russia
France won their second World Cup title in 2018 as they beat Croatia 4-2 in the final at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.
Les Bleus won six out of their seven World Cup games to be crowned champions, defeating Argentina (4-3), Uruguay (2-0) and Belgium (1-0) in the round of 16, quarter-final and semi-final respectively.
The final between France and Croatia saw the champions take the lead in the 18th minute via Mario Mandzukic’s own goal.
Croatia came back into the match with Ivan Perisic’s strike in the 28th minute, though.
France eventually took the match away from the Croatians when Antoine Griezmann converted a penalty in the 38th minute and then Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe scored in the 59th and 65th minute respectively.
Mandzukic then scored a consolation goal for his side late on.
Who were France’s World Cup winning players and what has happened to them since?
GettyHugo Lloris – Goalkeeper
France's No.1 has been playing for Tottenham Hotspur since 2012, having previously represented the likes of Nice and Lyon in Ligue 1.
He has had some difficult moments in recent years at both club and international level, but remains the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper for Spurs and France.
AdvertisementGettyimagesBenjamin Pavard – Right-back
When you say Pavard, you say wondergoal against Argentina. An absolute beauty of a strike. Period.
The versatile defender played for Lille and Stuttgart before joining Bayern Munich in 2019, where he currently plies his trade.
Pavard is no longer quite the undisputed starter he once was at Bayern following the arrival of Noussair Mazraoui, but remains an important first-team member at the Bundesliga giants.
At international level, he continues to be the main man down the right, whether that's in a traditional right-back role or slightly higher up the pitch in a 3-4-3 formation.
Raphael Varane – Centre-back
The defender joined Real Madrid from Lens in 2011 and spent 10 seasons at the club, before he moved to Manchester United in 2021.
After a somewhat underwhelming first season at Old Trafford, Varane is now a key figure at the back alongside Lisandro Martinez, with manager Erik ten Hag preferring him over Harry Maguire.
Varane made his international debut for France in 2013, was an integral part of the World Cup-winning side in 2018 and remains one of the first names on the teamsheet for Didier Deschamps to date.
GettySamuel Umtiti – Centre-back
The centre-back's career had been on a bit of a downward trajectory ever since lifting the World Cup.
He delayed knee surgery to play at the World Cup and never really recovered fully afterwards.
Barcelona eventually managed to send him out on loan to Lecce in 2022 after repeatedly trying to get him off the books due to his excessive wages.
There's no denying Umtiti in his prime was one of the best left-footed defenders around in the game, though.