The 2018 FIFA World Cup was the 21st edition of the tournament and was held in Russia from June 14 to July 15, 2018.
A total of 32 teams from around the world competed in the tournament, with the final match being held at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup was a significant event that brought together some of the best football teams worldwide. A total of 32 teams competed in the tournament, with 20 having also competed in the previous World Cup in 2014. The tournament featured some notable debutants, such as Iceland and Panama, who both qualified for the first time.
Iceland, in particular, made history by becoming the smallest country in terms of population to reach the World Cup. Other teams that returned to the tournament after long absences included Egypt, Morocco, Peru, and Senegal. It was also the first time three Nordic countries (Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden) and four Arab nations (Egypt, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, and Tunisia) qualified for the World Cup.
On the other hand, some notable teams failed to qualify for the tournament. Four-time champions Italy, for the first time since 1958, did not qualify after being knocked out in a qualification play-off by quarter-finalists Sweden. The Netherlands, who were three-time runners-up, also failed to qualify, as did reign continental champions Cameroon, Chile, New Zealand, and the United States. The other notable qualifying streaks broken were for Ghana and Ivory Coast, both of which had qualified for the three previous tournaments.
The lowest-ranked team to qualify for the tournament was the host nation, Russia. Despite being the lowest-ranked team, Russia exceeded expectations and reached the quarter-finals before being eliminated by Croatia. Overall, the 2018 World Cup was a highly entertaining and competitive tournament with many memorable moments and surprises.
Group A at the 2018 FIFA World Cup consisted of Russia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Uruguay. In the tournament’s opening match, host nation Russia defeated Saudi Arabia 5-0 in front of a home crowd. This was a surprising result, as many had expected Saudi Arabia to be the stronger team.
The next match saw Uruguay defeat Egypt 1-0. This was a crucial win for Uruguay, as it helped them secure a spot in the tournament’s knockout stage.
In the final group stage match, Russia defeated Egypt 3-1, while Saudi Arabia and Uruguay played to a 1-0 Saudi Arabia victory. Russia and Uruguay advanced to the knockout stage, while Egypt and Saudi Arabia were eliminated.
Group C consisted of France, Australia, Peru, and Denmark.
In the opening match of the group, France defeated Australia 2-1, with star player Antoine Griezmann scoring once for the French team.
The second match saw Denmark defeat Peru 1-0. This was a crucial win for Denmark, as it helped them secure a spot in the tournament’s knockout stage, with both teams putting in solid defensive performances.
In the final group stage match, France defeated Peru 1-0, while Denmark and Australia played to a 1-1 draw. France and Denmark advanced to the knockout stage, while Australia and Peru were eliminated.
Group E of the 2018 FIFA World Cup consisted of Brazil, Switzerland, Costa Rica, and Serbia. The group stage matches were played from June 17 to June 27, 2018.
Brazil, one of the favourites to win the group, lived up to expectations by winning two of their matches and drawing one. They finished the group stage with 7 points, enough to secure first place in Group E and move on to the Round of 16.
Switzerland also advanced to the Round of 16, finishing second with 5 points. They drew with Brazil 1-1, defeated Serbia 2-1 and lost to Costa Rica 2-2.
Costa Rica and Serbia, on the other hand, were not able to secure enough points to advance, with Costa Rica earning only 2 points and Serbia earning 3 points. Serbia had a disappointing tournament, losing to Switzerland and Brazil and drawing with Costa Rica. Costa Rica, on the other hand, put up a good fight, drawing with Switzerland and Serbia, but ultimately falling short in their match against Brazil.
Group B at the 2018 FIFA World Cup consisted of Portugal, Spain, Morocco, and Iran.
In the opening match of the group, Portugal and Spain played to a thrilling 3-3 draw, with both teams showing their attacking prowess. This was surprising, as many had expected Spain to dominate the match.
The next match saw Iran defeat Morocco 1-0, with both teams putting in solid defensive performances.
In the final group stage match, Portugal defeated Morocco 1-0, while Spain and Iran played to a 1-0 Spain victory. Portugal and Spain advanced to the knockout stage, while Morocco and Iran were eliminated.
Group D at the 2018 World Cup was composed of Argentina, Iceland, Croatia, and Nigeria.
Argentina, led by star player Lionel Messi, was one of the favourites to advance out of the group stage. However, they struggled in their first match, only managing a 1-1 draw against Iceland. A win against Nigeria saw them finish second in the group and eliminated from the tournament in the round of 16.
Iceland, making their World Cup debut, surprised many with their strong showing on the group stage. Their 1-1 draw against Argentina was a historic result for the small nation, and they could secure a point in their final match against Croatia to finish with four points.
Croatia, led by midfielders Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic, topped the group with nine points.
Group F at the 2018 World Cup was composed of Germany, Mexico, Sweden, and South Korea.
Germany, the reigning World Cup champions, was one of the favourites to advance out of the group stage. However, they struggled in their opening match against Mexico and suffered a shocking 0-1 defeat. Germany’s early exit from the tournament was a major surprise and one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history.
Mexico topped the group, earning victories against Germany and South Korea and a draw against Sweden. This was Mexico’s best performance at the World Cup in recent history, as they advanced to the round of 16 for the seventh consecutive time.
Sweden also advanced to the knockout stage, finishing second in the group.
The match was intense and closely contested, with both teams creating numerous scoring opportunities. France took the lead in the 13th minute with a goal from Kylian Mbappe, and Argentina equalized in the 41st minute with a goal from Gabriel Mercado. France retook the lead in the 45th and 57th minute, with goals from Benjamin Pavard and Kylian Mbappe, respectively. Argentina scored again in the 86th minute with a goal from Sergio Aguero, but it wasn’t enough. France emerged victorious and moved on to the quarterfinals, while Argentina was eliminated. The match between France and Argentina at the 2018 World Cup ended 4-3 in favour of France.
In the Round of 16 match of the 2018 World Cup, Uruguay defeated Portugal 2-1. Edinson Cavani scored goals in the 7th and 62nd minute, and Portugal scored in the 55th minute by Pepe. The match was intense, and both teams had opportunities, but in the end, Uruguay advanced to the quarterfinals and Portugal was eliminated.
The Round of 16 match between Brazil and Mexico at the 2018 World Cup was a highly-anticipated showdown between two top teams. Mexico took the lead in the 51st minute with a goal from Hirving Lozano, but Brazil equalized in the 88th minute with a goal from Neymar and sealed the victory with two more goals in extra time, making the final score 2-1 in favor of Brazil. Brazil moved on to the quarterfinals, while Mexico’s World Cup campaign ended.
The match was tied 2-2 at the end of regulation time and headed into extra time. Japan took the lead in the second half of extra time with a goal from Genki Haraguchi in the 48th minute. But Belgium managed to mount a comeback in the dying minutes of the match, with Marouane Fellaini scoring in the 74th minute and Nacer Chadli finding the back of the net in the dying seconds of the match to give Belgium a 3-2 victory and a place in the quarterfinals.
It was a heartbreaking end for Japan, who had played an impressive and valiant match, while Belgium advanced to the next round and showed their determination and resilience.
Spain vs Russia match in the 2018 World Cup Round of 16 ended in a 1-1 draw after regulation and extra time, with Spain taking the lead in the 11th minute with a goal from Sergio Ramos and Russia equalising in the 41st minute with a goal from Artem Dzyuba. The match had to be decided by a penalty shootout where Russia won 4-3 and advanced to the quarterfinals while Spain’s World Cup campaign ended.
Croatia and Denmark match in the 2018 World Cup Round of 16 ended in a 1-1 draw after regulation time and extra time, with goals from Mario Mandzukic for Croatia and Christian Eriksen for Denmark. The match had to be decided by a penalty shootout where Croatia won 3-2 and advanced to the quarterfinals, while Denmark’s World Cup campaign ended.
The Round of 16 match between Sweden and Switzerland at the 2018 World Cup ended 1-0 in favour of Sweden. The game was closely contested, with both teams putting on a solid defensive performances. The match’s only goal came from Emil Forsberg’s header in the 66th minute. Sweden’s defence and goalkeeper play were stable throughout the game and helped secure the win and advancement to the quarterfinals. Switzerland’s World Cup campaign came to an end with this defeat.
The match ended in a 1-1 draw after regulation time, with goals from Harry Kane (57′) for England and Yerry Mina (93′) for Colombia. The match headed into extra time, but both teams could not break the deadlock, and the game had to be decided by penalty shootout.
England converted 4 of their four penalties in the penalty shootout, while Colombia missed one of their attempts. As a result, England won the match 4-3 on penalties and advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time since 1990. It was a historic moment for England as they overcame a difficult match and the pressure of a penalty shootout to secure a place in the last 8. Colombia’s World Cup campaign ended, but they put on a solid performance.
The Round of 16 match between Uruguay and France at the 2018 World Cup ended with a 2-0 victory for France. The goals were scored by Raphael Varane in the 40th minute and Antoine Griezmann in the 61st minute. France’s defence and goalkeeper play were solid throughout the match and helped secure the win and advancement to the semifinals.
Croatia and Russia faced off in the 2018 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals on July 7, 2018. The match was held at the Fisht Stadium in Sochi, Russia, and ended in a 2-2 draw after extra time. Croatia ultimately won the match 4-3 on penalties, securing their spot in the semifinals. Croatia’s goals were scored by Andrej Kramarić in the 39th minute and Domagoj Vida in the 101st minute, while Denis Cheryshev scored Russia’s goals in the 31st minute and Mario Fernandes in the 115th minute. Croatia went on to face England in the semifinals but was ultimately defeated 2-1. Russia went on to win the third-place match, defeating Belgium 2-1.
Belgium took the lead in the 13th minute with an own goal from Fernandinho, Brazil equalised in the 76th minute with a goal from Renato Augusto, but Belgium scored the winning goal in the 31st minute with a goal from Kevin De Bruyne. Brazil tried to score again, but Belgium’s defence and goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, were able to keep the lead. Belgium advanced to the semifinals.
Sweden and England faced off in the quarterfinals of the 2018 FIFA World Cup on July 7, 2018. The match was held at the Samara Arena in Samara, Russia, ending in Sweden’s 2-0 victory. The goals were scored by Harry Maguire in the 30th minute and Dele Alli in the 58th minute. Sweden advanced to the semifinals, where they faced off against England. England had a strong performance in the match but failed to score, ultimately losing 2-0.
France and Belgium faced off in the 2018 FIFA World Cup semifinals on July 10, 2018. The match was held at the Krestovsky Stadium in Saint Petersburg, Russia, and ended in a 1-0 victory for France. French defender Samuel Umtiti scored the match’s only goal in the 51st minute off of a corner kick. The game was highly competitive, and both teams had several chances to score. France’s defence and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris were able to hold off Belgium’s attack, securing their spot in the final.
Croatia and England faced off in the 2018 FIFA World Cup semifinals on July 11, 2018. The match was held at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia, ending in a 2-1 extra-time victory for Croatia. England took the lead in the 5th minute with a goal from Kieran Trippier, but Croatia equalised in the 68th minute with a goal from Ivan Perišić. The match went into extra time, and Croatia scored the goal in the 109th minute.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup final was held between France and Croatia on July 15, 2018, at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia. The match ended 4-2 in favour of France, with goals coming from an own goal by Mario Mandzukic and goals from Ivan Perisic for Croatia, and goals from Antoine Griezmann, Mario Mandzukic’s own goal, Kylian Mbappe for France. This was France’s second World Cup victory, 20 years after their first win in 1998.
French captain Hugo Lloris was awarded the Golden Glove award, and Kylian Mbappe was awarded the tournament’s best young player.
