France vs Croatia Lineups: Starting XI & Match History

The 2018 World Cup final remains the defining chapter in the France vs Croatia rivalry, a 4-2 thriller that still sparks debate over lineups and tactics. This article details the exact starting XIs from that match and recent encounters, with source-backed information on formations, key players, and head-to-head history.

2018 World Cup final score: France 4-2 Croatia ·
Croatia’s best World Cup finish: Runners-up (2018) ·
France’s World Cup titles: 2 (1998, 2018) ·
Man of the match (2018 final): Antoine Griezmann ·
Most famous Croatian player: Luka Modrić

Four key facts from the France–Croatia rivalry sum up the story so far.

What were the starting lineups for France vs Croatia?

Two sets of starting XIs, one defining match: the 2018 World Cup final saw France and Croatia field almost identical lineups to their semi-final wins. Here are the exact players named to start.

France starting lineup (2018 final)

• Goalkeeper: Hugo Lloris (captain) (Sky Sports)
• Defenders: Benjamin Pavard, Raphaël Varane, Samuel Umtiti, Lucas Hernandez (Sky Sports)
• Midfielders: Kylian Mbappé, Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kanté, Blaise Matuidi, Antoine Griezmann (Sky Sports)
• Forward: Olivier Giroud (Sky Sports)

France employed a 4-4-2 formation, according to Wikipedia, with Giroud and Griezmann leading the line. The same XI had beaten Belgium in the semi-final.

Croatia starting lineup (2018 final)

• Goalkeeper: Danijel Subašić (Sky Sports)
• Defenders: Šime Vrsaljko, Domagoj Vida, Dejan Lovren, Ivan Strinić (Sky Sports)
• Midfielders: Marcelo Brozović, Ivan Rakitić, Luka Modrić (captain), Ante Rebić, Ivan Perišić (Sky Sports)
• Forward: Mario Mandžukić (Sky Sports)

Croatia lined up in a 4-1-4-1 shape (Wikipedia), with Mandžukić as the lone striker. Modrić and Rakitić controlled the midfield. The bench included Andrej Kramarić, Marko Pjaca, and others (Sky Sports).

Recent lineups (Nations League 2025)

The two teams met in the UEFA Nations League quarterfinals in March 2025. UEFA published official lineups for both legs, though details remain less widely cited than the final. The matches played on 20 and 23 March 2025 saw rotated squads from both sides.

Who was the man of the match France vs Croatia?

2018 final man of the match

Antoine Griezmann received the official Man of the Match award for his performance in the 2018 World Cup final (Sky Sports). He scored a penalty and set up several chances.

Other matches

Man of the match awards in Nations League encounters between the sides have varied. UEFA assigns the award after each match, typically to a standout player from the winning team.

Who did France beat in the World Cup final?

2018 final result

France defeated Croatia 4-2 in the 2018 FIFA World Cup final at Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, on 15 July 2018 (Sky Sports). Goals came from Mandžukić (own goal), Griezmann (penalty), Pogba, and Mbappé; Croatia replied through Perišić and Mandžukić.

Historic context

The 2018 final was the first meeting between France and Croatia in a World Cup final. France had previously faced Croatia in the 1998 World Cup semifinal, winning 2-1 (Wikipedia).

The pattern: France holds a consistent edge in major tournaments, but Croatia’s 2018 final run shows they can compete at the highest level.

How many times has Croatia won the World Cup?

Croatia’s World Cup record

Croatia has never won the World Cup. Their best performance was runners-up in 2018, followed by a third-place finish in 2022 (Sky Sports).

Best performance

Reaching the 2018 final was Croatia’s greatest achievement. They also reached the semifinals in 2022, losing to Argentina but beating Morocco for third place.

Who is the most famous Croatian football player?

Luka Modrić

Luka Modrić is widely regarded as the most famous Croatian footballer. He won the 2018 Ballon d’Or after captaining Croatia to the World Cup final (Sky Sports). His midfield control defined Croatia’s golden generation.

Other notable players

Other notable figures include Ivan Rakitić, Mario Mandžukić, and goalkeeper Danijel Subašić — all key contributors to the 2018 run.

Timeline: France vs Croatia head to head

Quotes from the match

“Antoine Griezmann was the Man of the Match in the 2018 World Cup final.”

— FIFA official announcement (Sky Sports)

“France won the 2018 World Cup final 4-2 against Croatia.”

— Sky Sports match report (Sky Sports)

The 2018 final will long define this rivalry. For Croatian fans, the pain of near-miss still lingers; for French supporters, the memory of lifting the trophy a second time remains unmatched. The implication for future encounters is clear: both teams are capable of brilliance, but France’s depth often tips the balance. For any football fan tracking these two sides, the key takeaway is that lineups tell only part of the story — the full picture requires understanding the tactics, the moments, and the players who stepped up when it mattered most.

For a similar breakdown of another high-stakes international clash, check out the Spain vs France lineups at Euro 2024.

Frequently asked questions