MOSOCW: France won the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia for the second time after defeating Croatia 4-2 in one of the most entertaining and action-packed finals for decades at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow Sunday in what was a fitting end to an outstanding tournament.
The French team, the second youngest in the tournament by average age after Nigeria, won $38 million (Rs2.6 billion) and etched their collective place in French footballing folklore while ended the dreams of rank outsiders Croatia (at the beginning of the tournament for sure though not so at the end). The team representing the Balkan nation of just 4.17 million won a payday of $28 million (Rs1.92 billion) and the hearts of fans worldwide with their courageous and skilfull brand of football.
While on the subject of prize money, in 2017, the FIFA Council announced that the organization’s total contributions to fund the 2018 World Cup would be a whopping $791 million — a 40% increase from the previous tournament in 2014. Of this total, $400 million was to be used exclusively as prize money for participating teams — a 12% increase.
Third placed Belgium took home $24 million (Rs 1.64 billion) for their efforts while third placed England may not have seen the world Cup “coming home” but secured $22 million for their efforts.
How the rest of the prize money breaks down is as follows:
17th-32nd place: $8 million
Ninth-16th place: $12 million
Fifth-Eighth place: $16 million
For the record, all teams that qualified for this year’s World Cup were also provided by FIFA $1.5 million to “cover preparation costs”.
According to Time, the prize money is given to each country’s national federation. These organizations determine how the winnings will be distributed and how much each individual player will receive.
The World Cup trophy itself is estimated to be worth $20 million. While the winners don’t get to keep the trophy indefinitely, the fame and publicity associated with winning the World Cup can lead to corporate sponsorships, advertising deals and hefty contracts.
As for Russia, the host nation delivered what has been universally acclaimed as the best World Cup ever, while their team became the lowest FIFA ranked team to ever reach the quarter finals of world sport’s biggest tournament, their run ending in a heart-breaking loss on penalties to eventual runners-up Croatia.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino was not indulging in hyperbole when he stated at his final press conference ahead of Sunday’s finals: “We said we wanted this to be the best World Cup ever and it’s been the best World Cup ever. And we should say thanks to Russia: the Russian Government, the LOC, the Russian Football Union. And the volunteers, who are the smile and the heart of the World Cup. All of them have worked very hard to make this event a big success.
“This World Cup has changed Russia that has become a real football country. Football is now part of Russia’s DNA. It has also changed the perception of the world about Russia. Around a million people have come to Russia and everyone has discovered a wonderful and welcoming country.”
As for the game itself, it was a humdinger that displayed brilliance in three of the goals scored, tragedy as a disputed penalty was awarded to France via VAR (video assistant referee) and farce from French goalkeeper and captain Hugo Lloris making a schoolboy error in allowing Croatia’s second goal.
Despite Croatia having the majority of possession in the opening stages, France took the lead in somewhat fortuitous circumstances. Antoine Griezmann’s lofted free kick from the French right was nodded into his own net by Mario Mandzukic.
Ivan Perisic levelled with a calm effort from the edge of the penalty area, but he would turn from hero to villain. A cross from the French right-hand side was handled by the Croatia No4, with a penalty awarded after a VAR review.
After the interval, France increased their lead through Paul Pogba, whose performances in the tournament deserved a goal in its finale. After Young Player of the Tournament Kylian Mbappe stretched the Croatian defence, Griezmann teed up Pogba, who finished after seeing his initial effort blocked.
After his tireless running tired the Croatian defence, it was only fitting that teenage tyro Mbappe himself got on the scoresheet, hitting a sweetly-struck effort from the edge of the penalty area with which Danijel Subasic stood no chance.
Mandzukic then scored in the same net, but this time to Croatia’s advantage, capitalising on some carelessness by Hugo Lloris to reduce the deficit.
In the end, the big No17’s strike was not enough to spark yet another miraculous Croatian comeback, and Les Bleus emulate their heroes of 1998 – including coach Didier Deschamps – in securing their second World Cup title.
Deschamps, captain of the 1998 France side, became the third man to lift the World Cup as player and coach after Brazil’s Mario Zagallo and Germany’s Franz Beckenbauer.
Croatia’s shirtless fans saluted their players as torrential rain lashed down on the presentation ceremony and coach Zlatko Dalic had few regrets.
“We are sad but proud at the same time,” he said. “We played well but the penalty knocked the wind out of us and after that it was very difficult. We have been dignified in our victories and we must be in defeat as well.”
Budweiser Man of the Match
Antoine Griezmann showed immense calm under pressure to bury his first-half penalty, while also setting up France’s opening goal as the No7 proved to be a constant threat to Croatia’s backline.
The stat
60 years since someone as young as 19-year-old Kylian Mbappe scored in a World Cup Final: the then 17-year-old Pele for Brazil against Sweden in 1958. This was also the highest scoring final in regular time since Sweden 1958’s finale.
Awards
Golden Ball (Player of the Tournament): Luca Modric (Croatia captain)
Young Player of the Tournament: Kylian Mbappe
Golden Ball (Top scorer): Harry Kane (England captain, 6 goals)
